The conviction for rape can be upheld based solely on the victim's credible testimony, without the need for corroboration, unless significant doubts arise.

JUDGMENT :

R. Mukhopadhyay, J.

Heard Mr. A.S. Dayal, learned counsel for the appellant and Manoj Kumar Mishra, learned A.P.P. for the State.

2. This appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 01.09.2018 (sentence passed on 06.09.2018) passed by Sri Lolark Dubey, learned Additional Sessions Judge I cum Special Judge, Gumla in connection with S. T. No. 260 of 2013 whereby and whereunder the appellant has been convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 376 and 346 I.P.C. and has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life along with a fine of Rs. 20,000/- for the offence under Section 376 I.P.C. and in case of default in payment of fine to undergo simple imprisonment for 6 months and rigorous imprisonment for 1 year for the offence under Section 346 I.P.C. Both the sentences were directed to run concurrently.

3. The prosecution case is based on the written report of the victim – ‘X’ in which it has been stated that on 21.04.2013 she had gone to graze cattle at 3:00 P.M. and her two younger brothers were also there. At about 5:00 P.M., Dharmeshwar Oraon (appellant) had come and started making small talks with the informant. When the informant went up a hillock in search of a cattle, Dharmeshwar Oraon who was hiding behind a bush had come out and gagged the mouth of the informant, thrown her on the ground, disrobed her and committed rape upon her. At around 1:00 A.M. when the father of the informant and others had come searching for her, the informant was forcibly taken to the house of Lalit, a friend of the accused where she was kept the entire night. Dharmeshwar Oraon had also issued threat of committing the murder of the informant, if she discloses the incident to anyone. It has been stated that today i.e., on 22.04.2013, the informant managed to flee away from the custody of the accused and went to the house of her aunt at village Pogra and disclosed the entire incident to her. On being informed, the father of the informant had come and had taken her to the police station where the written report was submitted.

Based on the aforesaid allegations, Raidih P. S. Case No. 23 of 2013 was instituted under Sections 376 and 346 I.P.C. On completion of investigation, charge-sheet was submitted and after cognizance was taken, the case was committed to the court of Sessions where it was registered as S. T. No. 260 of 2013. Charges were framed against the accused under Sections 376 and 346 I.P.C. which were read over and explained to him in Hindi to which he pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.

4. The prosecution has examined as many as 8 witnesses in support of its case.

5. P.W. 1 – Ranjit Oraon has stated that the incident is of 21.04.2013. He had come to the market and returned at 8:00 P.M. When he came to know that the victim is not at her house he and Bal Mohan Oraon started searching for her, but she could not be traced out, but on the next day a phone call came from Mohan Oraon at which he along with Bal Mohan Oraon went to Pogra village where they met the victim where she disclosed that Dharmeshwar Oraon had committed rape upon her. The victim had given a written report to police station in which he has signed and which has been proved by him and marked as Exhibit 1.

The wearing apparels of the victim were seized and a seizure list was prepared in which he has signed and he has proved his signature on the seizure list which has been marked as Exhibit 2.

In cross-examination, he has deposed that the two younger brothers of the victim who were with her when she had gone to graze cattle also feigned ignorance about her whereabouts.

6. P.W. 2 – Gondo Devi is the grand-mother of the victim. The victim had gone to graze cattle along with her brothers – Ajit and Sachin. In the evening both her brothers returned back, but she did not return back. She has stated that Dharmeshwar Oraon had committed rape upon her. The victim was traced out by Bal Mohan and brought home and the victim