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2006 Supreme(SC) 924

S.B.SINHA, DALVEER BHANDARI
Tarkeshwar Sahu – Appellant
Versus
State Of Bihar (Now Jharkhand) – Respondent


Judgement Key Points

Based on the provided legal document, the key considerations relevant to your legal query are as follows:

  1. The core issue in the referenced case pertains to the assessment of whether the act involved constitutes the offence of rape, particularly focusing on the element of penetration. It was held that for an offence under the section corresponding to rape, penetration of some degree is an essential ingredient. Mere force or taking a person forcibly does not automatically establish the offence of rape if there is no evidence of penetration or attempt to penetrate (!) (!) (!) .

  2. The absence of evidence indicating an attempt to penetrate or actual penetration, especially when the accused neither undressed himself nor the prosecutrix, renders the conviction for attempt to commit rape unsustainable. It was emphasized that even slight or partial penetration suffices for a conviction of rape, but in the absence of any penetration or attempt, such a charge cannot be sustained (!) (!) (!) .

  3. In cases where the specific charge of a major offence cannot be proved, the law permits conviction for a minor offence included within the major offence, provided the essential ingredients of the minor offence are established. This is applicable even if the minor offence was not initially charged, and the court can invoke provisions allowing for such convictions based on the evidence presented (!) (!) (!) .

  4. Regarding outraging the modesty of a woman, the essential elements include acts that are capable of shocking the sense of decency, with the intention or knowledge of likely outrage. The act should be such that it would be perceived as an affront to the dignity of the woman, considering societal norms and the context of the act (!) (!) (!) .

  5. The concept of modesty is an attribute inherently associated with female human beings owing to their sex, and the test for outraging modesty is whether a reasonable person would consider the act as capable of shocking the sense of decency. The reaction of the woman, while relevant, is not always decisive, and the nature of the act itself is critical (!) (!) (!) .

  6. The law recognizes that in cases involving acts of sexual misconduct, the specific circumstances, including the age of the victim and the nature of the act, are crucial in determining the appropriate offence and the corresponding punishment. Acts that involve forcible taking, molestation, or acts capable of outraging modesty are punishable under relevant sections, with the severity depending on the specifics of the conduct (!) (!) (!) .

In summary, for your case, it is important to establish whether the act involved actual or attempted penetration, as this is fundamental to the offence of rape. If such evidence is lacking, the case may need to be considered under lesser offences such as outraging modesty or assault, depending on the facts. Additionally, the principles of conviction for minor offences in cases of insufficient evidence for major offences could be applicable, provided the evidence supports such charges.


JUDGMENT

Dalveer Bhandari, J.—This appeal is directed against the judgment of the Jharkhand High Court at Ranchi, Jharkhand passed in Criminal Appeal No.277 of 1999, dismissing the appeal filed by the Appellant and upholding the judgment of the Additional Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi, whereby the Appellant was found guilty for the offence punishable under Sections 376/511 of Indian Penal Code and was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years.

2. Facts which are necessary to dispose of this appeal, in nutshell, are as follows.

On 18th February, 1998, at about 1.30 a.m., Tara Muni Kumari, aged about 12 years, came out of her house to answer the call of nature. The appellant at that time had forcibly taken her to his Gumti for committing illicit sexual intercourse with her. The said Gumti of the appellant was only few feet away from the house of the prosecutrix. It is alleged that the prosecutrix raised an alarm, and immediately thereafter several persons including PW1 Ram Charan Baitha, the informant and the father of the prosecutrix, Sahdeo Sahu PW2, Deonandan Sahu PW3 the Sarpanch of the village, Jewalal Sahu PW6 came from the adjoining houses and caught the appel

















































































































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