HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
V.P.Mathur
MADAN SINGH
Versus
STATE OF U P
Decided On : 24 March 1988
Crl. Revision No. 1363 of 1984
Molesting - Criminal Law - Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code - 354 - The court discussed the evidence and found the accused guilty of molesting an unmarried girl, leading to a traumatic experience. The conviction was upheld, and the accused's plea for the benefit of the First Offenders Probation Act was rejected.
Fact of the Case:
The case involved the molestation of an unmarried girl by a bus conductor, leading to injuries and a traumatic experience for the victim.
Finding of the Court:
The court found the accused guilty of the offense of molestation under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code and upheld the conviction.
Issues: The key issue was the guilt of the accused in the molestation of the victim, as well as the consideration of the benefit of the First Offenders Probation Act.
Ratio Decidendi: The court upheld the conviction based on the evidence presented and rejected the accused's plea for the benefit of the First Offenders Probation Act due to the abominable nature of the offense.
Final Decision: The revision was dismissed, and the accused was ordered to surrender before the Magistrate to serve out the sentence.
This revision has come up for final hearing, as a result of the grant of expedite-application by the Honble the Chief Justice, Vide order dated 22-4-1987. It came up for hearing continuously on seven dates prior to today and on all those dates, it had to be adjourned at the request of Mr. H. N. Sharma, learned counsel for the revisionist through whom the revision was filed. Today when the case was taken up, Mr. H. N. Sharma is again absent and no request for adjournment has also been made. I have, therefore, proceeded to dispose of the revision after being assisted by the learned counsel for the State and after going through whatever documents are on the record.
2. It appears that one Km Pushpa Bisht who was examined as P. W. 2 in this case, was traveling on the Almora-Masi, Passenger Bus on 11-9-1982 and was proceeding for Chaukhatia. This Bus reached Dwarahat-Kalikholi at about 7. 30 p. m. A new road was being constructed at that spot and the passage was blocked, as a result of which the Bus could not move ahead. A little while after this passenger bus had reached that spot, another passenger bus from Delhi came and it also did not find its way for onward journey and therefore had to go back to Dwarahat. This was however not done by the conductor and driver of the Almora-Masi passenger bus in which Km. Pushpa Bisht was travel ling. On the contrary, these two officials gave a false assurance to the passen gers that they would take back the said passenger bus. They made an effort for about two minutes but did not succeed, and then they gave out that the Bus could not be backed. The driver then asked the passengers to bring wood from the Jungle in order that a light may be produced. All the passengers except three came down from the Bus and went away. Three persons were left. They were Ganga Ram P. W. 3 and one Ram Lal and Km. Pushpa Bisht who was only about 19 years of age and was an unmarried girl. Even Ganga Ram and Ramial also left the Bus but soon heard a cry. Meanwhile what had happened was that the conductor of the Bus had come down from the Bus and caught hold of the hand of the girl and tried to molest her. But the girl came out of the BUR and jumped from the small hillock to save her honour. She received some injuries. She remained in the bushes up to midnight and then went to a temple of village Pan where she passed the night. In the morning at about 5 a. m. she started for her house and it was on 13- 9-1982 that she lodged a report of the occurrence because she had been dumb founded on account of the incident. She left a hugs luggage in the Bus which was wroth about Rs. 2,000.
3. On the basis of the written find information report the Patwari Dwara hat prepared a check report at 6. 30 a. m. on 13-9-1982 and investigated the case. Km. Pushpa Bisht was medically examined by Dr. S- nt. Nirmala Pant (P. W. 1) at the Womens Hospital. Alraora at 1. 30 p. m. on 15-9-82 and her report is Ext. Ka-A. After investigation, a charge-sheet was submitted on 2-10-1982 and then a case under Section 354 of the I. P. C. was started against the Driver and the conductor namely, Pooran Singh and Madan Singh. The learned Magistrate acquitted Pooran Singh but convicted Madan Singh on a charge under Section 354 of the I. P. C. and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for a period of three months and a fine of Rs. 2000. It was further provided that in default of the payment of fine he shall further undergo rigorous imprisonment for 15 days.
4. Then this revision was filed on behalf of Madan Singh.
5. The most important witness in this case is the girl herself. There is no dispute as regards the fact that at the time of this occurrence she was only 19 years of age and was unmarried. There is also nothing on the record to show that she had any reason to falsely implicate the present applicant-revisionist on a false charge of such a grave nature. That she received some injuries is un-rebutted and is made out from the injury r
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