Holding

A conviction for rape can be based solely on the reliable testimony of the prosecutrix, and the High Court’s acquittal was erroneous; the conviction is restored with life imprisonment and a fine.

Summary

The State of Himachal Pradesh appealed the acquittal of Asha Ram, who had been convicted by the trial court for raping his minor daughter. The High Court set aside the conviction on the ground that the medical evidence was unreliable and that there was no corroboration of the victim’s testimony. The Supreme Court examined whether a conviction for rape can rest solely on the prosecutrix’s testimony when it is reliable, and whether the strained marital relationship could justify doubt. Relying on precedents, the Court held that corroboration is not a legal requirement and that minor inconsistencies do not defeat a reliable prosecution, and that the victim’s testimony, supported by her sister, mother and medical evidence, inspired confidence. Consequently, the Court set aside the High Court’s order, restored the conviction under Section 376 IPC, and enhanced the sentence to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs.25,000 payable to the victim. The appeal was allowed.

Issues considered

Can a conviction for rape under Section 376 IPC be sustained on the sole testimony of the prosecutrix without corroboration?
Does the absence of spermatozoa or hymen rupture in medical evidence defeat the prosecution’s case?
Can a strained relationship between the accused and the victim’s mother be inferred to show a false complaint?
What is the appropriate quantum of punishment for a father raping his daughter?

Legislation cited

Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 376

Subjects

rapevictim testimonycorroborationfather-daughter rapelife imprisonmentmedical evidencesexual assaultIndian Penal Codecriminal law

Judgment

A STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
v.
ASHA RAM

NOVEMBER 17, 2005

B [H.K. SEMA AND P.P. NAOLEKAR, JJ.]

Penal Code 1860-Section 376 Rape-Testimony of a Victim-
Corroboration not necessary-Conviction can be founded on her testimony
C alone unless there are compelling reasons for seeking corroboration-Her
evidence is more reliable than that of an injured witness-Minor
contradictions and insignificant discrepancies in her statements should be
ignored in an otherwise reliable prosecution case-Held, on facts testimony
of victim is well corroborated

D Rape-Mother and father of prosecutrix having strained relationship--
Mother living separately-Prosecutrix living with father-Father alleged to
have committed rape of his own daughter-Plea that due to strained relations,
a false case has ·been foisted against the accused at the instigation of
mother-Rejecting the plea, held a daughter would not subscribe to false
story of rape by father thereby risking her honour and dignity and exposing
E entire family to shame and ostracization by the society.

Sentencing-Rape Case-Sentence-Offence of rape is grave by its
nature-It is more graver and the rarest of the rare warranting a strong
deterrent punishment, when it is committed by the father against his own
F daughter-Held, justice demands award of sentence of imprisonment for life
and fine of Rs.25000 which if realized to be paid to the prosecutrix.
Respondent-accused was prosecuted for committing rape of his own
daughter. Accused was having strained relationship with his wife, mother of
prosecutrix. Mother was living separately. Prosecutrix was living with the
accused. She narrated the incident to her slster and then to her mother. They
G then lodged FIR in the police station under section 376 IPC. The Trial Court
on the basis of testimony of the prosecutrix, statements of her sister and
mother and medical evidence convicted the accused. On appeal, the High Court
acquitted the accused holding that medical evidence on record was highly
unreliable and did not establish the case. Accused contended that because of
H 280
STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH v. ASHA RAM 2~ l

the strained relationship between accused and his wile, the case has been A
foisted against .him at the instance of the wife.

Allowing the appeal, the Court
HELD: 1. It is now well settled principle of law that conviction can be
founded on the testimony of the prosecutrix alone unless there are compelling B
reasons for seeking corroboration. The eyidence of a prosecutrix is more
reliable than that of an injured witness. The testimony of the victim of sexual
assault is vital unless there are compelling reasons which necessitate looking
for corroboration of her statement, the courts should find no difficulty in acting
on the testimony of a victim of sexual assault alone to convict an accused where
her testimony inspires confidence and is found to be reliable. It is also well C
settled principle oflaw that corroboration as a condition for jud~cial reliance
on the testimony of the prosecutrix is not a requirement of law but a guidance
of prudence under given circumstances. Even minor contradictions or
insignificant discrepancies in the statement of the prosecutrix should not be
a ground for throwing out an otherwise reliable prosecution case. D
(284-F, G, HJ

Bharwada Bhoginbhai Hirjibhai v. State ofGujarat, AIR (1983) SC 753;
Rafiq v. State of UP. [1980) 4 SCC 262; Madan Gopal Kakkadv. Naval Dubey
(1992) 3 SCC 204; Ranjit Hazarika v. State of Assam, (1998] 8 SCC 635;
State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh, [1996} 2 SCC 384 and State of Rajasthan v. E
N.K.the accused (20001 5 SCC 30; relied on.

2. Prosecutrix and her sister despite strained relationship between their
mother and father were happily staying with the accused and there is no rhyme'
or reason as to why the daughter should depose falsely so as to expose her
honour and dignity and also expose the whole family to the society risking F
the outcasting or ostracization and condemnation by the family circle as well .
as by the society. No girl of self respect and dignity who is conscious of her
chastity having expectations of married life and livelihood would accuse falsely
against any other person of rape, much less against her father, sacrificing
thereby her chastity and also expose the entire family to shame and the risk
of condemnation and ostracization by the society. It is unthinkable to suggest G
that the mother would g1> to the extent of inventing a story of sexual assault
against a person who is no other than her husband and father of the girl, at
the risk of bringing down their social status and spoil their reputation in the
society as well as family circle to which they belong. (287-H; 288-A, B, q
3.1. There can never be more graver and heinous crime than the father H
282 SUPR~ME COURT REPORTS [2005) SUPP. 5 S.C.R.

A being charged of raping his own daughter. He not only delict~ the law but it
is a betrayal of trust. The father is the fortress a11d refuge of his daughter in
whom the daughter trusts. Charged of raping his own daughter under his
refuge and fortress is worst than the gamekeeper becoming a poacher and
treasury guard becoming a robber. (282-.fl; 283-A) ·

3.2. Ordinarily, the offence of rape is grave by its nature. More so, when
the perpetrator o( the crime is the fat~er against his own. daughter it is more
graver and the rarest of rare, which warrants a strong deterrent judicial hal!d.
Even in ordinary criminal terminology•a rape is a crime more heinous than
murder as it destroys the very soul of hapless woman. This is more so when
C the perpetrator of the grave crime is the .father o.f the victim girl~ Father is a
fortress, refug~ and the trustee of his daughter•.By betraying the tr11st and
taking undue advantage of t~e trust reposed in him by .the .daii'ghter, serving
food at' odd ·hours at 12.30·,A..M; he ravished the chastity of his daughter,
jeopai'diztd her future·prospecf ot getting married, enjoying marital .and ...
conjugal life, has been-totally ~evastated;··l'•fot otily·that;slie·carries an inde~ib.le
D social stigma on her head·anddeathless shame as'long as site lives;' ·
.·. (291-F, G,..Jil

Madan Gopal Kakkadv. Naval Dubey, (19921jSCC204,:r(llied on~

4. While maintaining the conviction recorded by the Triai Court, the
E court alter and enhance the sentence from 5 y~a~s rig0 r~us i~priso~ment to .
imprisonment ·for life~ The Court also enhance the fine. amount of R,s. 1000
to Rs. 25000. The fine amount if realized shall be paid to t~e prosecutrix.
[292-JJ, CJ
.. CRIM~AL APPEJ..LATJ2:.riJ.1Us.01c;rlqN.: qri~ipal ApPea~.No._1266 of
F 199~. .. . . , .· ; . . . -. . . . . ,,. " ·; ; ._' ..
· From the Judgment and, Order. dated-7 .l.98· of the Himachal;pradesh
High Court in Crl.A. No. 6of1994.· · ·· · ·
Virendra Ku~ar Sharm~. for. J.S. Attri for ~he Appe.llani.
G Deb~sis Misra and Vinay Garg for the. Respo1'dent.

'The' Judgment of the Co~rt w~s d_eiiv.ered by ..
. H.K. SEMA, J. There can never be more graver jlnd .heinous crime than
the father being charged of raping bis ow~ daughter. H~ notonly ,delicts the
law but it is a betrayal of trust. The father is the fortress and· refuge of his
H daughter in whom. the daughter trusts. Charged of raping his own daughter
STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH v. ASHA RAM [SEMA, J.) 283

under. his refuge and fortress is worst than the gamekeeper becoming a A
poacher and treasury guard becoming a robber.

The facts of this case as unfolded by the prosecution shocked the
judicial conscience. Briefly stated the facts are as follows:-

The respondent-accused Asha Ram married to one Smt. Kalawati - PW3. B
Out of the· wedlock· they have three daughters arid two sons. Accused and ·
PW-3 were having strained relittions and living separately. PW-3 was living
in sotne servant quarters in Brock-hurst with one of the daughters and two
sons. Accused was living in the accommodation allotted to him in the servant
quarters attached to RajBhawan with the other two daughters namely Kumari
Uma and Kumari Seema (prosecutrix). In the intervening night of 23/24.8.1988 C
the accused returned home at about 12.30 AM and went to the room where
his daughters Uma-and Seema were sleeping. He asked Kumari Seema to serve ·
him the dinner. On being asked, the prosecutrix went to the kitchen and
brought the food to tlte·roorn of the accused. The accused is alleged to have
bolted the door of his room from inside and after switching off the light asked .D
Kumari Seema to sleep in the same room. He then forcibly made Kuma~i Seema
t() lie on the bed and after untying the waistband of her salwar started to
commit rape on her. The prosecutrix pleaded with the accused that she is his
daughter but he turned a deaf ear and forcibly committed sexual intercourse
with her. It is further alleged that when she tried to raise cries, her mouth was
gagged by the accused with a piece of cloth. Her sister Uma started knocking E
at the door. After about ~alf an hour when she came out of the room of her
father she found the door of the quarters, where her si~t_er was sleeping,
bolted fr.om outside and her sister was not at home. Being frightened she
climbed down from sanitary pipe. She met her sister on the ground floor of
the building and both returned to their quarter.. She narrated the entire F
occurrence to her sister Uma. On the following morning they went to their
mother to inform her about the occurrence. The prosecutrix accompanied by
her mother went to the police station and on the basis of her statement lodged
a complaint registered vide FIR No.110of1988 (Ex.PA) under Section 376 IPC.

In the course of investigation a prima facie case was established. A G
charge was laid under Section 376 IPC and the Trial Court after examining PW-
l(prosecutrix), PW2-Kumari Uma, sister of the prosecutrix, PW3 - mother of
the prosecutrix, medical evidence of PW4-Dr.A Banerji and PW5- Dr. H.K.
Premi, PWJ 1- Dr.L.R. Verma and found the respondent-Asha Ram guilty under - ·
Section 376 IPC and sentenced him to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 5 H
284 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [20051 SUPP. S S.C.R.

A years and a fine of Rs. I 000/- and in default rigorous imprisonment for 3
months. Aggrieved thereby the respondent preferred an appeal before the
High Court registered as Criminal Appeal No.6 of 1994. By the impugned order
Justice R.L. Khurana (since retired) acquitted the accused on a perverse
finding against all canon of justice. Hence. this appeal by special leave by the
B State of Himachal Pradesh.

The High Court after examining the prosecution evidence and documents
on record acquitted the accused after recording the following findings:-

"From the evidence coming on record, it is not established that PW
I was subjected to sexual intercourse on the night intervening 23/
c 24.8.1988. No spermatozoa were found on the salwar and underwear
of the prosecutrix, though according to the prosecution, complete act
of sexual interc'!urse was committed. No spermatozoa were also found
on the clothes cff the accused. No evidence has come on the record
to show that hymen was ruptured and if ruptured, the same was afresh
D rupture. The medical evidence coming on record, as discussed above,
is highly unreliable and even otherwise it does not establish that PW
I Kumari Seema was subjected to sexual intercourse."

We record our displeasure and dismay, the way the High Court dealt
casually with the offence so grave, as in the case at hand, overlooking the
E alarming and shocking increase of sexual assault on the minor girls. The High
Court was swayed by sheer insensitivity totally oblivious of growing menace
of sex violence against the minors much less by the father. The High Court
also totally overlooked the prosecution evidence, which inspired confidence
and merited acceptance. It is now well settled principle of law that conviction
F can be founded on the testimony of the prosecutrix alone unless there are
compelling reasons for seeking corroboration. The evidence of a prosecutrix
is more reliable than that of an injured witness. The testimony of the victim
of sexual assault is vital unless there are compelling reasons ·which necessitate
looking for corroboration of her statement, the courts should find no difficulty
in acting on the testimony of a victim of sexual assault alone to convict an
G accused where her testimony inspires confidence and is found to be reliable.
It is also well settled principle of law that corroboration as a condition for
judicial reliance on the testimony of the prosecutrix is not a requirement of
law but a guidance of prudence under given circumstances. The evidence of
the prosecutrix is more reliable than that of an injured witness. Even minor
contradictions or insignificant discrepancies in the statement of the prosecutrix
H should not be a ground for throwing out an otherwise reliable prosecution
STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH v. ASHA RAM [SEMA, J.] 285
case. A
In the back drop of the settled principle of law, we now proceed to
examine the testimony of PW-1 (prosecutrix) corroborated by PW2- Uma her
sister, PW3 - mother of the prosecutrix, PW4 - Dr. A. Banerji, PW5 - Dr. H.K.
Premi and PWI l - Dr.L.R. Verma who examined the accused, on the basis of
which the Trial Court recorded conviction. PWI - Kumari Seema stated as B
under:-

"In the year 1988 I was living with my father Asha Ram (accused) and
sister Uma Devi in the servant quarters known as Raj Bhawan At
about 12.30 AM/on the intervening night of23 and 24th August, 1988
my father (accused) entered my room switched off its light. He desired C
me to serve him meals. I served meals to my father (accused) in his
own room. The meals were brought from the kitchen. When I was
serving the meals, the accused bolted the room from inside. My father
the accused desired me to sleep in the same room. He forcibly made
me to sleep on the cot lying there in his room. He switched off the D
light.

He untied the string of my salwar. I told him that look here Papa
am your daughter. Despite this, the accused committed sexual
intercourse with me. I raised hue and cry upon which he gagged my
mouth with a piece of cloth. E
My sister Uam Devi came and knocked the door from outside. I
came out of the room after half an_ hour. In the meantime my sister left
the house and I found the outer door of the flat having been bolted
from outside. I was so frightened that I climbed down through sanitary
pipe to set out from the apartment. Uma and I again returned back to F
the quarter and bolted the door from outside. I narrated the whole
story to my sister Uma Devi.

My salwar and underwear got blood stained because of the sexual
intercourse committed with me by the accused.
G
My mother had been living separately. My mother had been
earning her livelihood by doing manual work at the house of one Shri
Atwal. I narrated the whole story to her. I accompanied my mother to
report the occurrence to the police. The FIR Ext. PA was reported tQ
the police by my mother Smt. Kala Wati.
H
286 .. SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2005) SUPP, 5 S.C.R.

A Thereafter I was taken to the Indira Gandhi Medical Hospital
Shimla for medical examination. I was medically got examined. My
signatures Ext.PB are on the Medico Legal 'report."

She was subjected to lengthy cross-examination but the substance of the
statement made in examination-in-chief remains totally unimpeached. A
B suggestion' was put that a false· case has been. foisted. against the accused
at the instance of her mother .was denied by her and that she was having
menstruation at that time was also denied by her.

The statement of the prosecutrix ·is -.veil corroborated in ;ill-particular
material by PW2 • Kumari Uma sister of the prosecutrix. She was also subjected
G · to lengthy. cr<>ss~examination ·but .nothing could. be·elicited .to ·dislodge. the .
. cr~dit\Yorthirtess of her tesiimorty in examination~in·c~ief. the. testimony of.
. P: Ws. I and 2 is also corroborated by the statement 6.f PW3 - mother..

PW I-the prosecutrix was medically examined by PW4- Dr.A.Banerji on
D 24.8.1988 and he observed as under:- . · · ·

"Patient was conscious and co-operative. Bloodstains on clothes
(Salwarnnd underwear). Both the breast was normally devolved, pubic
hair well grown up to symphysis pubis. Injuries:
I. Linear abrasion·2 CM long on right nasal ala~.No fresh bleeding.
E
2. One linear abrasion 3.5 cm. Long on right lateral aspe~t of thigh.
30 CM below right greater troch.a~ter. Pit~ient was .examined b)'
Gynecologist for local examination. l referred the case to Gynecologist,
MLC. PW4/A contains my material observations as given above.
F My final opinion is Ex.PW4/S. It is opined that sexual intercourse
could have been done with the patient examined. This opinion is
based on the report given by Dr.H.K. Premi."

Dr. Banerji - PW4 at the relevant time was posted as Casualty Medical
Officer and he was not a Gynecologist, therefore, he referred the prosecutrix
G to Dr. H.K. Premi - PW5 who was a Lecturer in the department of Obstetrics
Gynaecology. He examined the prosecutrix and made the following
observations.

"There was matting of the pubic hair with brownish.appearance. There
were no injuries marks on· the thigh, pubic region and posterior
H commissure and libia minora and majora of the patient. There were
STA TE OF HIMA€HALl1RADESH v. ASHA RAM [SEMA, J.) 287
injury marks on the posterior an.d lateral aspect of the hymen which A
showed fresh bleeding swabs taken from posterior vaginal pool
. alongwith two slides one for fresh examination· in saline, other air
dri.ed and handed over the casualty medical officer Snowdown hospital
for further examination. Dried bloodstains were seen on the perinea!
region and medial aspect of both thighs. Matted pubic hair were
excised with scissor and handed over to casualty Medical Officer al~o B
for further medical examination. The patient ·had no menarche till t~e
time ofexamination according to history. The patient had changed ~II
clothes at the time of examination.
It is possible that sexual intercourse was committed with the C
·.·victim whom I examihed. In·Ex.PW4/A my Wtitin~encircled in portion
A and B. is in my ~ands and signatures;"
Dr. L.R. Varma - PWI I examined the accused and opined that there i~
nothing to suggest that the'accused'was incapable of performing the.sexual
intercourse. He also noticed the following injuries on the accused: D
"Abrasion of I cm. long with over lying colour reddish on the posterior
aspect of the right elbow joint, 3 cm. away from medial epicondyle1
There was another abrasion of 5 cm. In size and I cm. away from the
above mentioned abrasion and of the same colour."
' '

Dr. N.K. Sarin - PW12 .has been examined to prove the report of the E
radiologist. The skeletal examination was done by Dr. D,S. Dhiman who had
left India and could not be examined in the court. Dr. Sarin, however, proved'
the re~ort in the court given by Dr. D.S. Dhiman . As per the report the age
of the prosecutrix has been mentioned between 12 =to 15 years.
F
Ori perusal of the evidence we are clearly of the view that the testimony
of PWI - prosecutrix is well corroborated by the testimony of PW-2, PW-3
corroborated by the medical evidence of P.Ws. 4,5,11 and 12 inspires
confidence and the Trial Court has rightly convicted the accused - respondent
under Section 376 IPC.
G
It is contended by the counsel for the accused that because of the
strained relationship between PW3 - mother of the prosecutrix and the accused,
the prosecution case has been foisted against the accused at the instigation
of the mother and deserves outright rejection. From the evidence it is clearly
established that P.Ws. 1 and 2 despite of strained relationship between their
H
288 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2005] SUPP. 5 S.C.R.

A mother and father were happily staying with the accused and there is no
rhyme or reason as to why th'e daughter should depose falsely so as to
expose her honour and dignity and also expose the whole family to the
society risking the outcasting or ostracization and condemnation by the
. family circle as well as by the society. No girl of self respect and dignity who
B is conscious of her chastity having expectations of married life and livelihood
would accuse falsely against any other person of rape, much less against her
father, sacrificing thereby her chastity and also expose the entire family to
shame and at the risk of condemnation and ostracization by the society. It is
unthinkable to suggest that the mother would go to the extent of inventing
. a story of sexual assault of her own daughter and tutor her to narrate a story
C of sexual assault against a person who is no other than her husband and
father of the girl, at the risk of bringing down their social status .and spoil their
reputation in the society as well as family circle to which they belong to.

In the case of Bharwada Bhoginbhai Hirjibhai v. State of Gujarat, AIR
(1983) SC 753 at sc pp.756-757 this Court pointed out that in the Indian
D setting, refusal to act on the testimony of a victim of sexual assault in the
absence of corroboration as a rule, is adding insult to injury. Why should the
evidence of the girl or the woman who complains of rape or sexual molestation
be viewed with the aid of spectacles fitted with lenses tinged with doubt,
disbelief or suspicion? It was further pointed out that on principle the evidence \ .
E of a victim of sexual assault stands on par with evidence of an injured
witness. Just as a witness who has sustained an injury (which is not shown
or believed to be self inflicted) is the best witness in the sense that he is least I
likely to exculpate the real offender, the evidence of a victim of a sex-offence
is entitled to great weight, absence of corroboration notwithstanding. The
aforesaid observation was made by this Court because' of the following
F factors: (1) A girl or a woman in the tradition bound non-permissive society
.- ,I

of India would be extremely reluctant even to admit that any incident which
is likely to reflect on her chastity had ever occurred. (2) She would be
conscious of the danger of being ostracized by the Society or being looked
down by the society including by her own family members, relatives, friends,
G and neighbours. (3) She would have to brave the whole world. (4) She would
face the risk of losing the love and respect of her own husband and near
relatives, and of her matrimonial home and happiness being shattered. (5) If
she is unmarried, she would apprehend that it would be difficult to secure an.
alliance with a suitable match from a respectable or as acceptable family. (6)
It would almost inevitably and almost invariably result in mental torture and
H suffering to herself. (7) The fear of being taunted by others will always haunt
STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH v. ASHA RAM [SEMA, J.] 289

her. (8)She would feel extremely embarrassed in relating the incident to others A
being overpowered by a feeling of shame on account of the upbringing in a
tradition bound society where by and large sex is taboo. (9) The natural
inclination would be to avoid giving publicity to the incident lest the family
name and family honour is brought into controversy. (IO) The parents of an
unmarried girl as also the husband and members of the husbands' family of
a married woman, would also more often than not, want to avoid publicity on B
account of the fear of social stigma on the family name and family honour.
( 11) The fear of the victim herself being considered to be promiscuous or in .
some way responsible for the incident regardless of her innocence. ( l 2} The
reluctance to face interrogation by the investigating agency, to face the Court,
• to face the cross-examination by counsel for the culprit, and the risk of being C
disbelieved, act as a deterrent.

In the case of Rafiq v. State o/U.P. [1980] 4 SCC 262, V.R. Krishna Iyer,
J speaking for the Court observed at sec p.265 as under:-

"Corroboration as a condition for judicial reliance on the testimony of D
, a prosecutrix is not a matter of law, but a guidance of prudence under
given circumstances. Indeed, from place to place, from age to age,
from varying life-styles and behavioural complexes, inferences from a
given set of facts, oral and circumstantial, may have to be drawn not
with dead uniformity but realistic diversity lest rigidity in the shape
of rule of law in this area be introduced through a new type of E
precedential tyranny. The same observation holds good regarding the
presence or absence of injuries on the person of the aggressor or the
aggressed."

In the case of Madan Gopal Kakkad v. Naval Dubey, [l 992] 3 SCC 204,
it was pointed out at sec p.218 that even in cases wherein there is lack of oral F
corroboration to that of a prosecutrix, a conviction can be safely recorded,
provided the evidence of the victim does not suffer from any basic infirmity,
and the 'probabilities factor' does not render it unworthy of credence, and
that as a general rule, corroboration cannot be insisted upon, except from the
medical evidence, where, having regard to the circumstances of the case, G
medical evidence can be expected to be forthcoming.

In the case of Ranjit Hazarika v. State of Assam, [1998] 8 SCC 635, this
Court held that non-rupture of hymen or absence of injury on victim's private
parts does not belie her testimony. This Court further held that the opinion
of doctor that no rape was committed cannot throw out an otherwise cogent H
290 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2005) SUPP. 5 S.C.R.
..___

A and trustworthy evidence of the prosecutrix. This Court held that the evidence '
of the prosecutrix was amply corroborated by her mother and father whom she
immediately informed about the occurrence.
l
In the case of State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh, [1996] 2 SCC 384, this
Court pointed out at sec p.403:-
B
"Rape is not merely a physical assault - it is often destructive of the
whole personality of the victim. A murderer destroys the physical
body of his victim, a rapist degrades the very soul of the helpless
female. The Court, therefore, shoulder a great responsibility while
trying an accused on charges of rape. They must deal with such cases
c with utmost sensitivity. The Courts should examine the broader
probabilities of a case and not get swayed by minor contradictions or
insignificant ~iscrepancies in the statement of the prosecutrix, which
are not of a fatal nature, to throw out an otherwise reliable prosecution
case. If evidence of the prosecutrix inspires confidence, it must be
D relied upon without seeking corroboration of her statement in material
particulars. If for some reason the Court finds it difficult to place
implicit reliance on her testimony, it may look for evidence which may
lend assurance to her testimony, short of corroboration required in the
case of an accomplice. The testimony of the prosecutrix must be
appreciated in the background of the entire case and the trial Court
E must be alive to its responsibility and be sensitive while dealing with
cases. involving sexual molestations."

In the case of State of Rajasthan v. N.K. the accused, [2000] 5 SCC 30
the observation made in Gurmit Singh 's case (supra) was reiterated. The
Court further observed in paragraph 9 at scc.p.38 as under:-
.
)>
F
"Having heard the learned counsel for the parties we are of the
opinion that the High Court was not justified in reversing the
conviction of the respondent and recording the order of acquittal. It
is true that the golden thread which runs throughout the cobweb of
criminal jurisprudence as administered in India is that nine guilty may
G
escape but one innocent should not suffer. But at the same time no
guilty should escape unpunished once the guilt has been proved to
hilt. An unmerited acquittal does no good to the society. If the
prosecution has succeeded in making out a convincing case for
recording a finding as to the accused being guilty, the court should
H not lean in favour of acquittal by giving weight to irrelevant or
STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH v. ASHA RAM [SEMA, J.] 291

insignificant circumstances or by resorting to technicalities or by A
assuming doubts and giving benefit thereof where none exists. A
doubt, as understood in criminal jurisprudence, has to be a reasonable
doubt and not an excuse for a finding in favour of acquittal. An
unmerited acquittal encourages wolves in the society being on the
prowl for easy prey, more so when the victims of crime are helpless
females. It is the spurt in the number of unmerited acquittals recorded B
by criminal courts which gives rise to the demand for death sentence
to the rapists. The Courts have to display a greater sense of
responsibility and to be more sensitiv~ while dealing with charges of
sexual assault on women''.

In the premises aforesaid, .we are clearly of the view that the High Court
c
has erred in law as well as on facts thereby committed grave miscarriage of
justice in acquitting the respondent by reversing the conviction of the
respondent recorded by the Trial Court under Section 376 lPC. The impugned
order of the High Court is, accordingly, set aside and the order of the Trial
Court convicting the accused under Section 376 is restored. D
This leads us to consider as to the quantum of punishment. The Trial
Court on conviction sentenced the respondent to 5 years rigorous imprisonment
and a fine of Rs.1,000/- and in default rigorous imprisonment for 3 months.
Here is the case where the crime committed by the respondent not only delicts
the Jaw but it has a deleterious effect on the civilized society. Gravity of the E
.. crime has to be necessarily assessed from the nature of the crime. A crime
may be grave but the nature of the crime may not be so grave. Similarly, a
crime may not be so grave but the nature of the crime may be very grave ..
Ordinarily, the offence uf rape is grave by its nature. More so, when the
perpetrator of the crime is the father against his own daughter it is more F
graver and the rarest of rare, which warrants a strong deterrent judicial hand.
Even in ordinary criminal terminology a rape is a crime more heinous than
murder as it destroys the very soul of hapless woman. This is more so when
the perpetrator of the grave crime is the father of the victim girl. Father is a
fortress, refuge and the trustee of his daughter. By betraying the trust and
taking undue advantage of trust reposed in him by the daughter, serving food G
at odd hours at 12.30 A.M. he ravished the chastity of his daughter, jeopardized
her future prospect of getting married, enjoying marital and conjugal life, has
been totally devastated. Not only that, she carries an indelible social stigma
· on her head and deathless shame as long as she lives.
H
292 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 5 S.C.R.

A Having said so, regarding sentence we are tempted to quote the
observation of Justice Pandian in the case of Madan Gopa/ Kakkad (supra)
where it has been observed that "Judges who bear the Sword of Justice
should not hesitate to use that sword with the utmost severity, to the full and
to the end if the gravity of the offences so demand."
B So, while maintaining the conviction recorded by the Trial Court, we
alter and enhance the sentence from 5 years rigorous imprisonment to
imprisonment for life. We also enhance the fine amount of Rs.1000/- to Rs.25,000
(Rs.Twenty Five Thousand only). The fine amount ifrealized shall be paid to
the prosecutrix. The appeal stands allowed in the above terms. The respondent
C is on bail. His bail-bonds and surety stand cancelled. He is directed to be
taken back to the custody forthwith. Compliance report should be sent to this
Court within one month.

KG. Appeal allowed.

'('