Youth walks free in rape case

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 5

Swati Sehgal, Judge, Fast Track Special Court, Chandigarh has acquitted a 22-year-old youth, Ram Sajivan, in a rape case after the police failed to prove charges against him.

As per the prosecution, the accused was arrested on the victim’s complaint. The prosecution claimed that the victim had told the police that the accused, who was her friend, took her to the forest area in Dariya village and forcible made physical relations with her.

The police registered the case against the accused under Section 376 (3) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 6 of the POCSO Act at the Industrial Area police station, Chandigarh, on April 8, 2019. The police arrested the accused on April 10, 2019.

After investigation, the police submitted a challan against the accused in the court. After finding prima facie case against the accused, the court framed charges to which he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution claimed that the victim, who was minor, become pregnant. Later, her pregnancy was terminated. The public prosecutor said the prosecution had proved the case against the accused.

Rahul Rana, counsel for the accused, claimed that the accused was innocent and had been falsely implicated in the case. Rana argued that the victim was not minor and she got admission in the school on the basis of an affidavit not on the basis of the birth certificate.

Rana said the victim’s medical was also not done. He also pointed out the contradictions in the statements of the victim during the hearings. Rana claimed that the mother of the victim also submitted an affidavit that the accused was falsely implicated in the case. He said even the DNA report of the foetus did not match with the accused.

On the basis of these facts, he prayed for the acquittal of the accused. After hearing the arguments and examining the witnesses, the court acquitted the accused for the offences registered against him.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.