ORDER

1. Heard Mr. S K Gangele, learned senior counsel appearing for the appellant, Mr. Yashraj Singh Bundela, learned counsel appearing for the State and Ms. Priya Sharma, learned counsel appearing for the complainant. 2. The appellant was tried for the offence punishable under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code . The learned First Additional Sessions Judge, East Nirmar, Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh acquitted the appellant-accused. In the appeal filed by the State, the High Court had reversed the same and convicted the appellant and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life. 3. Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code as it Digitally signed by Deepak Singh Date: 2023.11.10 17:11:43 IST Reason:

Signature Not Verified existed then reads thus: “376.(1) Whoever, except in the cases provided for by sub-section(2), commits rape shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine unless the woman raped is his own wife and is not under twelve yea