2016 Supreme(All) 582
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
BEFORE : MRS. RANJANA PANDYA, JJ.
DILEEP VERMA ....Appellant
Versus
STATE OF U.P. ….Respondent
(Jail Appeal No. 440 of 2016, decided on 31st May, 2016)
Counsel :
From Jail and P.S. Pundir (A.C.) for the Appellant; A.G.A. for the Respondent.
Headnote:(Indian) Penal Code, 1860—Sections 363, 366 and 376—Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012—Section 4—Rape—Conviction—Evidence of prosecutrix's brother is far from satisfactory and incapable of offering any corroboration to evidence of prosecutrix—Testimony of victim is unreliable and unworthy of credence, thus, it would be dangerous to rely upon her testimony—Conviction set aside.
Appeal Allowed.
Hon'ble Mrs. Ranjana Pandya,J.
1. This appeal has been sent from jail by the accused-appellant Dileep Verma challenging the judgment and order dated 01.10.2015 passed by the learned Additional District & Sessions Judge, Court No. 1, Ballia in Sessions Trial No. 96 of 2014 (State of U.P. vs Dileep Verma) arising out of Case Crime No. 346 of 2014, under Sections 363, 366, 376 IPC and Section 3/4 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Police Station- Sahatwar, District- Ballia, whereby the accused-appellant Dileep Verma has been convicted and sentenced to five years' rigorous imprisonment under Section 363 IPC; five years' rigorous imprisonment under Section 366 IPC; ten years' rigorous imprisonment under Section 376 IPC and ten years' rigorous imprisonment under Section 4 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Consolidated fine of Rs. 20,000/- has been imposed on the accused-appellant with default stipulation.
2. In brief the case of the prosecution as set up in the first information report lodged by Smt. Reshami Devi w/o Late Shiv Bachan Verma at Police Station Sahatwar, District- Ballia is that Dileep Verma s/o Ram Kishun Verma, resident of village Chhotaki Seriya, Police Station Bansdeeh Kotwali, District Ballia, who claimed himself to be conjurer used to come to her house for conjuring. He was aged about 35 years. On 05.06.2014, when she had gone to Ballia in connection with her treatment and his daughter, the victim aged about 14 years was alone in the house, then Dileep Verma, the accused enticed her away. Her daughter was having mobile number 9839341137. She along with her family members made hectic search, but whereabouts of the victim could not be known.
3. On the basis of aforesaid report, Ext.Ka-1, chik FIR was registered, Ext. Ka-4, which was entered in G.D. Ext. Ka-6 and case was registered. After registration of the case, the investigation of the case was entrusted to S.I. Ram Phool Yadav, PW-4. He copied the chik FIR and entered the same in the case diary. Thereafter, he recorded the statement of chik scriber Vinod Kumar Pradhan and informant Smt. Reshmi Devi and entered the same in the case diary. On the pointing out of the informant, he inspected the spot and prepared the site plan, which was proved as Ext.Ka-3. High School marksheet of the victim was made available to him by the informant, according to which her date of birth is 18.09.2002. After the recovery of the victim, she was sent for medical examination on 13.09.2014. On 15.09.2014, the statement of the victim was got recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C., which was entered into the case diary on the order of the court. After completing the investigation, he submitted the charge sheet against the accused-appellant under Sections 363, 366, 376 IPC and Section 3/4 POCSO Act, which was proved as Ext. Ka-4.
4. To bring home the guilt of the appellant, the prosecution has examined as many as five witnesses. PW-1 is Smt. Reshmi Devi, the informant and mother of the victim. PW-2 is the victim of the case. PW-3 is Sanjay Verma, the brother of the victim. PW-4 Ram Phool Yadav is the Investigating Officer of the case. PW-5 is Dr. Jyotsana, who conducted the medical examination of the victim.
5. PW-1 is Smt. Reshmi Devi, the informant and the mother of the victim. She has reiterated the version given in the FIR. She further deposed that the accused took the victim to Kolkata and committed rape on her. Her daughter was minor aged about 14 years. She was recovered after three months. After that the victim told the whole incident to her.
6. PW-2 is the victim of the case. She stated that on 05.06.2014, she was alone in the house. Her mother had gone to the hospital along with her brother and sister-in-law. On that date, the accused-appellant Dileep Verma came to her house and inquired about her mother and sister-in-law. On being told that they have gone to Ballia hospital. He said to her that let us come to meet them and took her to Kolk