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2023 Supreme(All) 2820

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
RAJEEV MISRA, J.
Harshvardhan Yadav - Appellant
Versus
State of U.P. and Another - Respondents
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. - 1175 OF 2022.
Decided On : 31-05-2023

Advocates appeared:
For the Appellant : Vatsala, Mahendra Singh, Ravi Kant.
For the Respondent: G.A., Avanish Kumar Srivastava.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code - Sections 376 and 90 - Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 - Section 3(2)(v) - Bail application - Allegations of rape - Evidence showed prior relationship and a possible false promise of marriage - Relationship characterized by consent, but under a misconception due to the accused's false assurances - Medical examination found no corroborative evidence of assault - Court discusses the nuances of consent and misconception in rape cases - Bail application granted based on lack of new grounds to deny bail since last application. (Paras 2-34)

(B) Consent - Definition and implications - Consent given under a misconception of fact is not valid - The burden of proof for establishing false promise lies with the accused - Courts must consider the differences between consensual relationships and rape clearly. (Paras 10-22)

(C) Judicial precedents - Mentioned cases emphasize understanding of voluntary consent and misconceptions in similar contexts, drawing from judicial interpretations and established legal principles. (Paras 6-9).

(D) Final outcome - Criminal Appeal allowed; bail granted.

Table of Content
1. initial bail application scenario (Para 2 , 3 , 4)
2. arguments presented for and against bail (Para 5 , 6 , 12)
3. counter arguments regarding evidence and intent (Para 11 , 14 , 15)
4. conclusion and order of bail (Para 16)

JUDGMENT

Rajeev Misra, J.

Heard Mrs. Vatsala, the learned counsel for appellant, the learned A.G.A. for State and Mr. Avanish Kumar Srivastava, the learned counsel representing first informant-opposite party 2.

2. This repeat application for bail has been filed by appellant Harshvardhan Yadav seeking his enlargement on bail in Case Crime No. 136 of 2020, under Section 376 IPC and section 3(2)(v) SC/ST Act, Police Station-Collectorganj, District-Kanpur Nagar during the pendency of trial.

3. The first bail application of appellant was rejected vide order dated 03.08.2021 passed in Criminal Appeal No. 1382 of 2021 (Harshvardhan Yadav v. State of U.P. and Another). For ready reference, the same is re-produced here in under:-

    "1. Heard learned counsel for the appellant, learned counsel for the respondent no.2 and learned AGA for the State and perused the record.

    2. This criminal appeal has been filed by appellant Harshvardhan Yadav against the impugned order dated 25.02.2021 of learned Special Judge, SC/ST Act, Kanpur Nagar, passed in Bail Application No. 729 of 2021 ( Harshvardhan Yadav v. State of UP ), arising out of Case Crime No. 136 of 2020, under Section 376 IPC and section 3(2)5 of SC/ST Act, P.S. Collectorganj, District-Kanpur Nagar by which bail application of appellant has been rejected.

    3. Aggrieved by the impugned bail rejection order, the appeal has been filed under section 14 of the SC/ST Act. Impugned order has been challenged on the ground that the appellant is in jail since 26.11.2020 and there is no criminal history of the appellant. He has academic career and he was preparing for competition. On the basis of absolutely false allegation, the FIR has been lodged against him. No sign of rape has been found in the medical examination of the victim. During the investigation, the manager and waiter of the hotel gave statements to the Investigating Officer under Section 161 Cr.P.C. and have denied the alleged incident. They have stated that on that date in the morning at 7:30 both appellant and victim came in the hotel and disclosed their identity as husband and wife and demanded a room and the same was entered in the hotel register. They stayed there for about two and half hours. They had given their adhar card. From CCTV camera a pen drive was also prepared and was handed over to the Investigating Officer. The victim is educated lady and she is working as police constable in the UP Police and she was knowing the appellant since she was studying in a coaching with the appellant. The FIR has been lodged for the purpose of blackmailing and forcing the appellant for marriage. There is delay of about 17 hours in lodging the FIR. There is no eye witness of the alleged incident while the hotel is a public place. In the hotel, they have mentioned themselves as husband and wife. There is no question of rape committed by the appellant and there is all possibility in the circumstances of the case that she voluntarily consented for the relationship and there was no misconception of fact to her. Therefore, no case of rape is made out against the appellant and without proper investigation, IO has submitted charge sheet against him. The appellant and opposite party no.2 developed their relationship with the consent of each other and he never committed rape. Learned Session Judge has rejected the bail application and the impugned order is illegal, arbitrary and passed without applying judicial mind. He has not properly considered the material evidence available on record. In such circumstances, the learned Special Judge has committed error and illegality in rejecting the bail application and impugned order is liable to be set aside.

    4. Counter Affidavit has been filed by the state and it has been

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