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2025 Supreme(Gau) 1234

THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT, (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH) 
PARTHIVJYOTI SAIKIA, J.
Ratul Dutta, S/o. Sri Lambodar @ Moina Dutta – Petitioner 
Versus 
The State of Assam – Respondent 
Crl. Rev. P. No.245 of 2012
Decided On : 05-08-2025

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Mr. B.K. Bhattacharjee, Mr. S. Ahmed, H. Bharali, Mr. SSS Rahman, Missa Chetia, Dr. R. Sarmah.
For the Respondent: Mr. R.J. Baruah, Addl. P.P. Assam.

To secure a conviction for adultery or trespass, evidence of sexual intercourse and forcible entry must be present; mere assumptions do not suffice.

Headnote:(A) Criminal Procedure Code - Sections 397 and 401 - Indian Penal Code - Sections 457 and 497 - Conviction challenged on grounds of absence of evidence for requisite elements of offences - Petitioner accused of adulterous relationship and trespass - Court found no evidence of sexual intercourse or forcible entry, leading to acquittal. (Paras 2, 15)

(B) Adultery - Definition and requirements - To constitute adultery, sexual intercourse with another's wife must be proven; mere presence is insufficient. (Paras 14, 15)

(C) Trespass - Requirements for conviction - Forcible entry must be established; absence of evidence resulted in acquittal. (Paras 14, 15)

Facts of the case:
The petitioner was convicted under IPC Sections 457 and 497 for allegedly maintaining an illicit relationship with the wife of the informant and for trespassing. The events transpired at the informant's residence, where he caught the petitioner with his wife.

Findings of Court:
The court ruled that there was no substantial evidence to support the conviction, emphasizing the absence of sexual acts and forcible entry.

Issues: The key issues were whether the evidence presented adequately proved the offences of adultery and house trespass.

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized that mere presumption is insufficient for conviction; clear evidence of the acts constituting the alleged offences must exist.

Result: The petitioner is found not guilty and acquitted.

Table of Content
1. petitioner's conviction details and context. (Para 2 , 3)
2. witness testimonies about alleged illicit acts. (Para 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 , 11)
3. evidence of illicit relationship and actions on the night in question. (Para 8)
4. legal definitions of adultery and house trespass. (Para 14)
5. absence of evidence for the necessary legal elements. (Para 15)
6. acquittal of petitioner and case disposal. (Para 16 , 17)

JUDGMENT :

PARTHIVJYOTI SAIKIA, J.

Heard Mr. SSA Rahman, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. R.J. Baruah, the learned Addl. Public Prosecutor, Assam.

2. This is an application under Section 397 read with Section 401 of the CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE challenging the judgment and order dated 30.04.2012 passed by the learned learned Sessions Judge, Dhemaji in Criminal Appeal No.11(1)/2012 affirming st the judgment dated 18.01.2012 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate 1 Class Dhemaji in G.R. Case No.772/2010. In fact, the petitioner was convicted under Section 457 and 497 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE .

3. Shri Paranjyoti Gogoi had lodged an FIR before police stating that the present petitioner was maintaining illicit relationship with his wife for a period of last one year. On 15.10.2020 at about 9.30 P.M., the petitioner had entered into the house of the informant and after switching off the light, he started indulging in illicit acts with the wife of the informant and the informant Paranjyoti Gogoi caught them red handed. On receipt of the FIR, Dhemaji P.S. Case No.305/2010 under Sections 448 and 497 of the IPC came into being.

4. At the time of trial, the prosecution side examined 9(nine) witnesses. The informant Paranjyoti Gogoi has stated in his evidence that on the day of occurrence at about 9.30 P.M., he arrived at his house and while standing in the verandah of the house, he felt that somebody was inside the house though the lights inside the house were switched off at that time. Paranjyoti Gogoi called his neighbours Modan Biswas, Arpita Biswas and Pranabjyoti Gogoi. He also called his brother-in-law over phone. When they arrived, all of them went to the back side of the house and locked the door from outside. Then, again they came to the front side of the house. Paranjyoti Gogoi called his wife inside the house and asked her to open the door. The wife opened the door. All of them entered into the house. The witness Modan Biswas switched on the light and this witness saw that the wearing apparels of his wife were not in proper state. They also found the petitioner inside the kitchen and he was trying to button up his trousers.

5. The second prosecution witness is Modan Biswas. His evidence is similar to that of Paranjyoti Gogoi. He supported the evidence of Paranjyoti Gogoi.

6. The third prosecution witness is Pranabjyoti Gogoi. He is the brother of Paranjyoti Gogoi. He supported the evidence of Paranjyoti Gogoi and Modan Biswas. He stated that long back he had heard that the present petitioner was maintaining illicit relationship with his sister-in-law.

7. The fourth prosecution witness is Arpita Biswas. She also supported the evidences of Paranjyoti Gogoi, Modan Biswas and Pranabjyoti Gogoi.

8. The fifth prosecution witness is Jinki Biswas. She is the wife of the witness Modan Biswas. She is not an eye witness to the occurrence.

9. The sixth prosecution witness is Ganesh Lahon. He is also an eye witness to the occurrence and supported the evidences of Paranjyoti Gogoi, Modan Biswas and Pranabjyoti Gogoi.

10. The seventh prosecution witness is Dr. Tikendrajit Taid. On 16.10.2010, on the basis of a police requisition, he examined the present petitioner. The doctor found no physical injury upon his person. No semen was found outside the penis or within the pubic area.

11. The eight prosecution is Gohin Gohain. He is also not an eye witness to the occurrence. He only heard that the petitioner was having sexual intercourse with the wife of Paranjyoti Gogoi.

12. The ninth prosecution witne

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