Rape Conviction - The Legal Chamber

Breaking: Supreme Court Invokes Article 142 to Quash Rape Case After Accused and Prosecutrix Marry

3Mar

By The Legal ChamberNo Comments

Supreme Court

Breaking: Supreme Court Invokes Article 142 to Quash Rape Case After Accused and Prosecutrix Marry

In this judgment, the Supreme Court exercised its plenary power under Article 142 of the Constitution to quash an entire criminal proceeding, including the conviction and sentence, to secure complete justice. The Court reasoned that since the parties had married and were residing together, continuing the prosecution would be counterproductive. Consequently, the pending appeal before the High Court was rendered infructuous. Facts Of The Case: The appellant and the prosecutrix first connected in 2015 through a social media platform, where they developed a mutual fondness for each other. This relationship eventually progressed into a consensual physical relationship, which the prosecutrix later claimed was based on the appellant's alleged false promise of marriage. When the appellant sought...

Supreme Court Rules :Procedural Lapses Can’t Be A Safe Haven For Rapists

The Supreme Court held that procedural irregularities, such as defective charge framing or improper joint trial under Section 223 CrPC, do not automatically vitiate the proceedings unless a failure of justice is proven. The Court emphasized that minor inconsistencies and procedural lapses should not be elevated to the level of reasonable doubt to acquit an accused, especially in heinous offences, if the core prosecution evidence remains credible and consistent. The conviction was restored as no prejudice was established. Facts Of The Case: In 2016, a few months after the Holi festival, the appellant's minor daughter began experiencing health issues. Her deteriorating condition led her mother to take her to a hospital in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, for treatment. On July 1, 2016, a medic...

Supreme Court Upholds Rape Conviction, Rules Victim’s Testimony Alone Is Enough

The Supreme Court upheld that a rape conviction can be based solely on the sole, credible testimony of the prosecutrix. Corroboration through medical evidence is not a legal necessity. The absence of injuries does not disprove the offense, especially when the victim's account is consistent and inspires confidence. Facts Of The Case: On April 3, 2018, at approximately noon, a 15-year-old victim and her 11-year-old brother were alone at their home in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, as their parents had gone to a nearby village to attend a funeral. The appellant-accused, Deepak Kumar Sahu, who was known to the family and lived in the neighbourhood, entered the house. Finding the victim alone, he sent her younger brother away to buy chewing tobacco. Once the brother left, the accused forced the v...