SC Clarifies Gang Rape Laws: Acquits Accused Under SC/ST Act
The Supreme Court upheld the appellant’s conviction under Sections 366 (kidnapping), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 376(2)(g) IPC (gang rape), ruling that even if only one accused commits rape, all participants acting in common intention are equally liable. However, it acquitted the appellant under Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act, citing lack of evidence that the crime was committed on the ground of caste identity. The Court reiterated that corroboration is not mandatory if the victim’s testimony is credible and condemned the outdated "two-finger test" in sexual assault cases. The sentence under Section 376(2)(g) was reduced from life imprisonment to 10 years to align with the co-accused’s punishment.
Facts Of The Case:
The case originated from an incident on the night of 23-24 June 20...