JUDGMENT :

Rumi Kumari Phukan, J.

1. Heard Mr. N. Hasan, learned counsel appearing for the appellant/accused as well as Mr. N.K. Kalita, learned Addl. P.P., Assam appearing for the State respondent.

2. Present appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 12.07.2016, passed by the learned Assistant Sessions Judge, Tinsukia, in Sessions Case no. 64(M)/2011, whereby the accused/appellant has been convicted under Section 376 of the IPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 9 (nine) years and to pay fine of Rs. 1,000/-, in default further imprisonment for three month.

3. The prosecution case in nutshell is that on the night of 26.11.09, at about 10:00 P.M., while the victim was on her way to home on foot from Digboi Chariali market and arrived near Digboi club, one Muslim man having beard forcefully took her to the bathroom of nearby swimming pool and committed rape upon her. On receiving the verbal information from the victim on the following day i.e. on 27.11.2009, at 11.45 A.M., the Digboi Police Station GD Entry no. 1014, dated 27.11.2009 was made and the victim was sent to the hospital for medical examination. ASI Sashi Thakuli, who was entrusted wit