Shimla, June 25
In a ruling, the High Court of Himachal Pradesh upheld the conviction of Ram Lal for sexual assault, reinforcing stringent legal standards under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The judgment, delivered on June 24, 2024, was presided over by Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla.
The appeal, titled “Ram Lal vs. State of H.P.” (Cr. Appeal No. 15 of 2022), challenged the trial court’s decision dated August 27, 2021. The appellant, Ram Lal, was convicted and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for life under Section 376 of IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, alongside a two-year sentence under Section 506 of IPC.
The case involved the rape of a minor girl by the accused, Ram Lal, in December 2014. The victim, then 17 years old, testified that Ram Lal had repeatedly raped her and threatened her with death if she disclosed the assaults. The assaults continued for several months until the victim became pregnant. The police were alerted through an anonymous complaint following the victim’s delivery and subsequent adoption of her child.
The judgment, spanning 45 pages, meticulously examined the evidence presented. The court upheld the victim’s testimony, corroborated by her birth certificate and medical evidence, confirming her age and the occurrence of the crime. The court dismissed the defense’s arguments regarding inconsistencies and lack of immediate complaint by the victim, emphasizing the credibility of the prosecution’s evidence.
By affirming the trial court’s decision, the court sent a strong message about the seriousness of such crimes and the rigorous application of the law to protect vulnerable individuals.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla. The appellant was represented by Hemant Kumar Thakur, while Pawan K. Nadda, Additional Advocate General, represented the State.
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