1. This appeal arises out of the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 6.1.1999 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Baikunthpur, Distt. Koriya (MP) in S.T.No.290/98 convicting the accused / appellant under S.376(1), S.506 Part - II & 346 of IPC and sentencing him to undergo RI for seven years, to pay a fine of Rs.2000/-; to undergo RI for two years, to pay a fine of Rs.500/-; and to undergo RI for two years, to pay a fine of Rs.500/- with default stipulations respectively. All the sentences were directed to run concurrently.

2. Brief facts of the case are that on 9-7-1998 at 1 p.m. FIR (Ex.P / 1) was lodged by the prosecutrix (PW - 1), aged about 20 years, alleging therein that on the previous night at about 8 p.m. when she was returning to her house, which was on the first floor, from the house of her maternal uncle, which was on the ground floor, the accused / appellant forcibly took her to his house after dragging her