Bombay High Court
Mahesh S/O. Tarachand Surywanshi vs State Of Maharashtra on 11 September, 2013
Author: T. V. Nalawade
Bench: T. V. Nalawade
Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12
1
IN THE HIGH COURT AT BOMBAY
APPELLATE SIDE, BENCH AT AURANGABAD
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 499 OF 2012
Mahesh s/o. Tarachand Surywanshi,
Age 25 years, Occu. Labour,
R/o. Khutphal, Tq. Khandwa,
Dist. Purva Nimad (M.P.) ....Appellant.
(Ori. Accused No.1)
Versus
State of Maharashtra
through Police Station Hingoli
(Rural), Dist. Hingoli. ....Respondent.
Mr. Sachin S. Deshmukh, Advocate for appellant.
Mr. D.R. Kale, APP for State.
WITH
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 500 OF 2012
1. Vasudeo s/o. Kishan Labde,
Age 32 years, Occu. Agri.,
R/o. Kondala, Tq. & Dist Hingoli.
2. Padmabai w/o. Kishan Labde,
Age 60 years, Occu. Labour,
R/o. Kondala, Tq. & Dist Hingoli,
3. Padmini d/o. Gangaram Hanwate,
Age 23 years, Occu. Labour,
R/o. Adgaon, Tq. & Dist. Hingoli. ....Appellants.
Versus
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Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12
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The State of Maharashtra
Through Police Station Officer,
Police Station Hingoli (Rural),
Tq. and Dist. Hingoli. ....Respondent.
Mrs. M.A. Kulkarni, Advocate for appellants.
Mr. D.R. Kale, APP for State.
ig CORAM : T. V. NALAWADE, J.
RESERVED ON : 26th August, 2013.
DELIVERED ON :11th September,2013
JUDGMENT :
1. Both the appeals are filed against judgment and order of Sessions Case No. 69 of 2008, which was pending in the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Hingoli. The appellant from the first proceeding is convicted and sentenced for offence punishable under section 376 of Indian Penal Code. All the appellants from second proceeding are convicted and sentenced for offence punishable under section 366-A r/w. 34 of I.P.C. The appellant No. 3 from the second proceeding is convicted and sentenced for offence punishable under section 363 of I.P.C. The appellants from the second proceeding are convicted and sentenced for offence punishable under section 199 r/w. 34 of I.P.C. also. Both the sides are heard.
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2. In short, the facts leading to the institution of the two appeals, can be stated as follows :-
The first informant is the mother of prosecutrix. After the death of her husband, the first informant had started living with her brother in village Adgaon, Tahsil and District Hingoli. At the relevant time, the prosecutrix was aged about 17 years and she was living with her mother. The prosecutrix had failed in 10th standard examination. They are from labour class.
3. Accused Padmini Hanwate (accused No. 3) is school mate of prosecutrix. Padmini Hanwate is also relative of prosecutrix from the side of the first informant. Accused Vasudev Labde (accused No 5) is husband of sister of accused Padmini Hanwate. Accused Padmabai Labde (accused No. 2) is mother of accused Vasudev. At the relevant time, accused Padmini Hanwate was also living in Adgaon.
4. On 22.12.2007, in morning the prosecutrix informed to her mother that she wanted to go to village Mop, the residential place of her aunt on paternal side. She went there on that day and stayed there for one night. From there, she went to village Kanhergaon, residential place of maternal uncle Datta ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 4 Vaidya. Accused Padmini Hanwate approached prosecutrix in the house of Datta Vaidya and she asked the prosecutrix to come to the house of her sister. As accused Hanwate promised to reach her back to house of Datta Vaidya immediately, the prosecutrix went with Smt. Hanwate to the house of accused No. 5 - Vasude Labde from village Katakondala.
5. From Katakondala accused Nos. 2, 3 and 5 took the prosecutrix to places like Omkareshwar, Khandwa and Badwa.
Prosecutrix was not ready to go with them. These accused gave threats of life and forcibly took her with them. At these places, the prosecutrix was shown to some persons by these accused.
Accused No. 2 was posing herself as the mother of prosecutrix and accused No. 5 was posing himself as the brother of prosecutrix when they were showing the prosecutrix to different persons. The prosecutrix realised that these accused were trying to virtually sell her. The accused were demanding Rs. 50,000/-
from the persons, who were coming to see the prosecutrix.
6. Accused Nos. 2, 3 and 5 ultimately approached accused No. 1. They took prosecutrix to village Phutphal (Madhya Pradesh). The accused No. 1 agreed to purchase the prosecutrix for consideration of RS. 20,000/-. Under threat, prosecutrix was ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 5 then taken to Khandwa (M.P). and there one document to show that prosecutrix had married with accused No. 1 was created. This document was notarised. Accused Nos. 2, 3 and 5 received consideration amount from accused No. 1 and they handed over the custody of prosecutrix to accused No. 1. The prosecutrix was not ready to go with accused No. 1, but she was forcibly taken to Phutphul. In Phutphul, accused No. 1 forcibly took sexual intercourse with the prosecutrix. She was not consenting party to this act of accused No. 1.
7. On 22.12.2007 prosecutrix had informed in morning to her mother that she was leaving for the village Mop. When on that evening the mother of prosecutrix returned to home, she found that the prosecutrix was not present. On 23.12.2007 accused Padmini Hanwate visited the place of the first informant, mother of prosecutrix and informed that prosecutrix had gone to Parbhani. The first informant made attempts to contact her relatives on phone to make inquiry about the prosecutrix. On 25.12.2007 from the wife of her brother from Kanhergaon, the first informant learnt that accused Hanwate and prosecutrix together had left his house. As prosecutrix could not be traced, the mother of prosecutrix gave missing report to police on 6.1.2008.
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8. Police of Hingoli Rural Police Station started making investigation. Police learnt that accused Smt. Hanwate was in the company of the prosecutrix and so investigation was made on that line. Police Head Constable Kale visited the places of in-law of the sister of accused Hanwate. Police visited places like Khandwa, and Phutphal. Police then brought accused Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 5 and the prosecutrix to Rural Police Station, Hingoli. The places were shown by accused No. 2 to police.
9. The first informant learnt about the incident from the prosecutrix and then she gave report against the accused. The crime at C.R. No. 5/2008 was registered for aforesaid offences in Rural Police Station, Hingoli.
10. Shri. Dabhade, Police Inspector, made investigation of the case. He referred the prosecutrix for medical examination. The accused came to be arrested. During investigation, the aforesaid notarised document came to be recovered. The statement of Notary Public and one advocate, who had requested the Notary Public to notarise the document came to be recorded. During investigation, accused No. 2 gave statement under section 27 of Evidence Act and on that basis, a part of consideration viz. Rs.
::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 :::Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 7 8800/- came to be recovered from her residential place. One Salwar dress of prosecutrix was also recovered from the residential place of accused No. 2. These articles came to be seized under panchanama. The panchanama of the spot where the offence of rape was committed was also prepared in the presence of panch witnesses. The specimen thumb impressions of accused Nos. 2 and 5 came to be obtained for comparison with the thump impressions given on notarised document by them. On this document, they had posed themselves as mother and brother of prosecutrix. The clothes of the prosecutrix were sent to C.A. Office.
11. After completion of investigation, the chargesheet came to be filed against the appellants and also against other accused like Sadashiv Labde and Nihala Pawar. Charge for aforesaid offences and also for offence punishable under section 193 of I.P.C. came to be framed. All the accused took the defence of total denial. The Trial Court has believed the prosecutrix and her mother. The evidence of Police Officers, which is of circumstantial nature, the medical evidence, the evidence on circumstance like creation of record of marriage and notarising it, is considered and believed by the Trial Court. There was no medical record with regard to the age of the prosecutrix and the ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 8 Trial Court has believed the oral evidence and the evidence like school record.
12. Accused Smt. Hanwate is convicted for offence punishable under section 363 of I.P.C. There is conviction for offence under section 366-A of I.P.C. also as against appellants from the second proceeding. In view of these circumstances, it is desirable to first marshal and appreciate the evidence given on the age of prosecutrix. For proving the offence of kidnapping which is made punishable under section 363 of I.P.C. and for proving the offence of procuration of the minor girl which is made punishable under section 366-A of I.P.C., it is necessary for the prosecution to prove that the age of the prosecutrix was below 18 years at the relevant time.
13. 'Age' as ingredient of both the aforesaid offences is required to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. This 'proved' under section 3 of Evidence Act need to be proved like any other fact in criminal case. Oral evidence as to the age may always be available in such a case. Where a person gives evidence on oath, the Court is expected to start with presumption that he has spoken the truth. Only because in a case like present one, when there is oral evidence on age and it is given by the interested ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 9 witnesses like mother or father, the Court is expected to look for corroboration. Corroboration need not be only of expert evidence.
Corroboration may be of circumstances which may different for each case. The opinion of doctor on clinical or radiological examination cannot be accepted straight way as a legal proof. The margin of error is of two years on either side even when the age is ascertained on the basis of radiological examination. [Reliance placed on AIR 1982 SUPREME COURT 1297 [Jaya Mala Vs. Home Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Ors.]. It is only medical opinion and other evidence including oral evidence cannot be discarded only because the medical evidence is in conflict with the oral evidence. Further, the medical evidence cannot stand against entries made in birth register, which are properly authenticated. Entry made in birth register has presumptive value in view of section 17 (2) of Birth and Death Registration Act, 1969 and this position of law needs to be kept in mind, when there is conflict between medical evidence and the other evidence.
14. In view of section 35 of Evidence Act, the entry made in school register about the date of birth also needs to be treated as relevant. Such register is kept in regular discharge of duty by school and it is required to be kept as per the Rules made by the ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 10 State Government. When such entry was made before starting of dispute, many years prior to the commission of offence and when entry is proved by giving oral evidence of the concerned, due weight needs to be given to such entry. Such entries need to be treated as relevant and admissible in evidence, though such entry cannot form sole clinching factor for determining the age. It has no presumptive value like in the case of entry made in birth register as already observed.
15. In view of facts and circumstances of this case, the learned counsel for accused placed reliance on the case reported as AIR 1965 SC 942 [S. Varadrajan Vs. State of Madras]. In this case, the Apex Court has discussed the difference between the terms like 'taking' and 'enticing' used in section 361 of I.P.C.
The Apex Court has observed that if the prosecutrix had reached the age of discretion, she had crossed the age of 16 years, though she is minor, it is necessary for the prosecution to show that the accused made the prosecutrix to accompany him by administering any threat to her or by blandishment. It is observed that if the prosecutrix had left the house of parents on her own and after that, the accused had given her company, it cannot be said that the act of the accused amounts to kidnapping. In view of peculiar facts of that case, the Apex Court held that the ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 11 prosecutrix clearly knew what she was doing and what was good for her. In view of the facts of that case, the Apex Court held that the act of giving company of the accused to the prosecutrix was not amounting to offence of kidnapping.
16. Section 361 of I.P.C. reads as under :-
"361. Kidnapping from lawful guardianship.- Whoever takes or entices any minor under [sixteen] years of age if a male, or under [eighteen] years of age if a female, or any person of unsound mind, out of the keeping of the lawful guardian of such minor or person of unsound mind, without the consent of such guardian, is said to kidnap such minor or person from lawful guardianship.
Explanation.- The words "lawful guardian"
in this section include any person lawfully entrusted with the care or custody of such minor or other person.
Exception.- This section does not extend to the act of any person who in good faith believes himself to be the father of an illegitimate child, or who in good faith believes himself to be entitled to the lawful custody of such child, unless such act is committed for an immoral or unlawful purpose."
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17. In view of observations made in Vardarajan's case cited supra, it can be said that if the minor prosecutrix had crossed the age of 16 years, it needs to be ascertained as to whether any active part was played by the accused due to which the prosecutrix left house of her guardian. In the case reported as AIR 1973 SUPREME COURT 2313 [Thakorlal D. Vadgama Vs. The State of Gujrat], the Apex Cort has discussed the difference between the two terms like 'taking' and 'enticing'. It is laid down that the word 'takes' does not connote use of 'force' and it means that 'to cause to go', 'to escort', or 'to get into possession'. It further means 'physical possession'. On the other hand, it is inducing a minor to go of her own accord to the kidnapper i.e. the state of mind of willingness of minor is brought about in some way by the accused. This position of law needs to be kept in mind while appreciating the evidence in such a case.
18. Prosecution evidence on the age of prosecutrix is both oral and documentary. Shri. Mutkule (PW 1), Headmaster of Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj School from Adgaon has given evidence that the entries about prosecutrix were made in his school register. This register is maintained for making entries regarding admission and leaving of school of students. The ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 13 original register was brought to the Court. The entry of name of the prosecutrix is at Sr.No. 643. As per the evidence of this witness, the prosecutrix had come to this school from Kendriya Prathamik Vidyalaya, Adgaon, where the prosecutrix had passed 7th standard examination. According to him, as per the record of previous school, the date of birth was recorded as 7.10.1990. The extract of entry made in school register by Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj School is taken on the record as Exh. 42. The evidence in cross examination of this witness shows that the school gives admission in 1st standard only when birth certificate issued by local body like Village Patil is produced by the parents or guardian of the ward. His evidence shows that prosecutrix was admitted in his school as she had come with transfer certificate issued by previous school. The transfer certificate issued by previous school was not brought to the Court by this witness, but the record shows that nobody insisted for production of the same in the Court. The witness deposed that such certificate was available in the school. His evidence shows that the prosecutrix was admitted in his school on 4.7.2003. The Trial Court did not find anything suspicious in the record produced by this witness and also in his oral evidence. There is no reason to disbelieve this evidence. As per the oral evidence of PW 1 and Exh. 42, the age of prosecutrix was around 17 years and 2 months at the relevant time.
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19. The evidence of prosecutrix (PW 4) was recorded in the Trial Court on 16.1.2012. On that day, she gave her age as 20 years. The incident in question took place in December 2007.
Thus, as per the oral evidence, at the relevant time, prosecutrix had completed 16 years of age. The mother of prosecutrix (PW 5) has given evidence that at the relevant time, the age of prosecutrix was around 17 years. The mother of prosecutrix is an illiterate lady and she could not give the exact date of birth of prosecutrix. However, she has given approximate age of the prosecutrix. In F.I.R. Exh. 49, the same age was given by PW 5.
Missing report at Exh. 96 was given by PW 5 and this document is admitted by the defence. In this document, the age of prosecutrix was given by PW 5 as 17 years. It appears that the elder son of PW 5 was aged about 19 years at the relevant time. The evidence of Dr. Rupali (PW 12), who examined prosecutrix for ascertaining as to whether there was sexual intercourse, has given evidence that on 14.1.2008 prosecutrix had given her age as 17 years. The age of the prosecutrix was not ascertained by clinical or radiological examination.
20. In the evidence, the mother of prosecutrix has stated that prosecutrix had failed in 10th standard examination about ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 15 one year prior to the date of incident. Similar evidence is given by the prosecutrix in the cross examination. There is admission that she failed on two occasions. In this State, admission is given to boy or girl in school in 1st standard after completion of 5 years of age and this is as per rules made by the State Government. The evidence of PW 1, 4 and 5 shows that prosecutrix failed only in 10th standard examination. Even if it is presumed that she failed in two consecutive attempts, it can be inferred that in the year 2007, in the month of December, she had hardly completed 17 years of age. This evidence is sufficient to prove that she had not completed 18 years of age. The so called marriage document, Exh. 47, shows that the age of the prosecutrix was mentioned as 19 years. The prosecutrix has given evidence that her signature was obtained by giving threat, on Exh. 47. In view of the purpose for which this document was created and the circumstances which surround it, not much weight can be given to the age of the prosecutrix, which is mentioned as 19 years in Exh. 47.
21. The aforesaid discussion shows that there is oral evidence and there is the record of school register to prove that at the relevant time, prosecutrix had not completed 18 years of age.
The Trial Court had opportunity to see the prosecutrix and also observe her demeanor. The Trial Court has believed the ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 16 prosecutrix and her mother. The Trial Court has relied on the aforesaid record. In such a case, the Trial Court is in better position to appreciate the things and so, the Appellate Court is not expected to lightly interfere in the findings given on such facts by the Trial Court. Nothing is shown in this proceeding for which interference is possible in the finding given by the Trial Court on the age of the prosecutrix. So, this Court also holds that the prosecution has proved that prosecutrix had not completed 18 years of the age at the relevant time.
22. The aforesaid evidence is sufficient to infer that prosecutrix had completed 17 years of age. In view of this circumstance, the evidence needs to be appreciated accordingly.
In view of the landmark case of Varadarajan cited supra, it needs to be ascertained as to whether prosecutrix had taken the decision on her own and she was thinking that it was for her benefit. It needs to be ascertained whether she had decided to leave the guardian and to go with accused persons from place to place. It needs to be ascertained whether there was 'taking' or 'enticing' as mentioned in section 361 of I.P.C. It needs to be ascertained whether the prosecutrix had taken a decision to marry with anybody, who was to be approved by accused Nos. 2, 3 and 5. It needs to be ascertained whether accused No. 1 took ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 17 sexual intercourse with the prosecutrix and there was consent of prosecutrix for it.
23. The evidence of prosecutrix (PW 4) and the mother of prosecutrix (PW 5) shows that prosecutrix left village Adgaon on 22.12.2007 after informing that she was leaving for the place of relative. The evidence of mother of prosecutrix shows that she gave missing report after confirming that the prosecutrix was not at the residential places of the most of the relatives and as the whereabouts of prosecutrix were not known to the relatives with whom contact was made. The missing report at Exh. 96 was given on 6.1.2008.
24. The prosecutrix (PW 4) has given evidence that accused No. 3 - Padmini Hanwate was studying in Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj School, where the prosecutrix was also studying in the 10th Standard and so the prosecutrix knew accused No. 3.
Prosecutrix has given evidence that after leaving the house from Adegaon on 22.12.2007, she first went to the house of her paternal aunt Sakhubai and she stayed there for one night. She has given evidence that then she went to the house of Datta Vaidya, maternal uncle, who is resident of village Kanhergaon. She has given evidence that accused No. 3 came there and requested ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 18 her to come to the house of her sister situated at village Katakondala. Prosecutrix has deposed that she wanted to inform either mother or maternal uncle before leaving the house of Datta, but as the accused No. 3 said that they would return immediately, she left the house of Datta with accused No. 3. Thus, the evidence is given by the prosecutrix that it is the accused No. 3, who took the prosecutrix with her from the house of Datta Vaidya to village ig Katakondala under some pretext. No contradiction or omission with regard to the aforesaid evidence given by the prosecutrix is brought on the record by the defence.
25. The mother of prosecutrix (PW 5) has given evidence that when she learnt that accused No. 3 had taken prosecutrix with her from the house of Datta Vaidya, she went to the house of Padmaini Hanwate, accused No. 3, situated at Adgaon. She has given evidence that the father of accused No. 3 quarreled with her and gave abuses to her. She has given evidence that she then went to police station and gave report. It can be said that the witness wanted to refer missing report, Exh. 96. Exh. 96 is not disputed by defence. In Exh. 96, there is no mention that PW 5 had learnt about the incident of taking of prosecutrix to village Katakondala from the house of Datta Vaidya by accused No. 3.
There is mention in F.I.R. at Exh. 49 dated 13.1.2008, given by PW ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 19 5 that she learnt about this incident from the wife of Datta on 25.12.2007. As there is no such mention in Exh. 96, missing report dated 6.1.2008, not much weight can be given to the evidence of PW 5 that she had learnt aforesaid incident prior to 6.1.2008.
26. Swati Datta Vaidya (PW 7), wife of brother of complainant, has given evidence that prosecutrix had come to her house on 23rd. She has deposed that accused No. 3 took the prosecutrix with her on the next day i.e. on 24th. In view of the evidence of Police Head Constable Shri. Kale (PW 6), there is no reason to disbelieve Swati (PW 7).
27. Police Head Constable Shri. Kale (PW 6) made investigation of missing report. He has given evidence that when he learnt that the accused No. 3 had taken prosecutrix to the house of accused No. 5, Katakondala, he went there to make inquiry. He has deposed that he learnt there from the parents of accused No. 5 that prosecutrix was taken to Khandwa (M.P.) and so he went there. Though this evidence, about learning of taking of prosecutrix to Khandwa, is hearsay in nature, the other evidence of this witness to the effect that he went to Khandwa, he collected so called marriage document and he brought the ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 20 prosecutrix and some of the accused to Rural Police Station Hingoli from Phutphal (M.P.), is admissible in evidence. This evidence can be used for corroboration purpose. He has given evidence that accused Nos. 2 and 3 took him to aforesaid places during the investigation. No record of so called information given by accused Nos. 2 and 3 was created by this witness and so this part of evidence cannot be used against accused Nos. 2 and 3.
28. The cross examination of prosecutrix (PW 4) shows that even when the previous version before police was not contrary and there was no omission in previous statement, many suggestions were given by defence counsel to that effect. It can be said that Trial Court has mechanically recorded many suggestions given by defence counsel. In view of provisions of section 161 of Cr.P.C. and section 145 of Evidence Act, it is the duty of the Court to ascertain first as to whether there is such omission or contradiction and only after ascertaining, the Court is expected to allow the question and record the answer. Further, it is the duty of the Court to consider the previous version, as a whole, to ascertain, whether there is any omission as suggested by the defence counsel or as to whether there is really inconsistency as suggested by the defence counsel. For instance, when there was no omission in respect of the evidence of ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 21 prosecutrix that it is Padmini Hanwate (accused No. 3) who took the prosecutrix from the house of Datta to the house of sister of Smt. Hanwate, such suggestion is recoded by Trial Court.
Fortunately, the Trial Court has used this evidence against accused No. 3.
29. The prosecutrix (PW 4) has given evidence that in the house of accused No. 5, tea was offered to her and after taking tea she became unconscious. She has deposed that when she regained consciousness, she found that she was at Badwa Railway Station (M.P.). There is omission in previous statement about administering some substance to make her unconscious.
However, there is the evidence of prosecutrix to the effect that everything, which was done with her, was done, when she was not willing to do it and when she had not consented for it.
Evidence is given by the prosecutrix that threat of life was given to her. The material on the record shows that prosecutrix was not having support of anybody at the places where she was taken and even in village Adgaon, she was at the mercy of maternal uncle.
Her father was dead and her elder brother is dumb. These circumstances need to be kept in mind at the time of appreciation of the evidence of prosecutrix. The mother of prosecutrix is illiterate lady and she is from labour class.
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30. The prosecutrix (PW 4) has given evidence that accused Nos. 2, 3 and 5 were having talk with some strangers for virtually selling her for the consideration of Rs. 50,000/-. She has given evidence that accused No. 2 was posing herself as mother of prosecutrix and accused No. 5 was posing himself as brother of prosecutrix. In view of such representation made by these two accused persons, the others had no reason to have doubt about the conduct of these two persons. Prosecutrix has given evidence that ultimately these accused had then talk with accused No. 1 and there was some settlement between accused No. 1 and other accused. She has given evidence that she was then taken to Phutphal, village of accused No. 1.
31. The prosecutrix (PW 4) has given evidence that from Phutphal, she was taken to Khandwa and there, her signature was obtained on a document. She has deposed that she was forced to sign on this document under threat. She has deposed that she was crying. She has deposed that accused Nos. 2, 3 and 5 and other accused then handed her over to accused No. 1.
32. In the cross examination of prosecutrix, it is suggested to her by defence that prosecutrix did not complain to ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 23 the persons like the auto driver, passengers from bus that she was being taken away forcibly. The prosecutrix has given explanation that those people were speaking Hindi language and she was unable to understand and speak such language.
Helplessness of prosecutrix is already discussed. As against helpless prosecutrix, there were many accused and they were giving constant threats to prosecutrix and they were representating to the world that they were close relatives of prosecutrix. In view of these circumstances, not much can be made out from the so called silence of the prosecutrix.
33. Accused No. 3 was known to the prosecutrix. It is said that accused Nos. 2 and 5 are relatives of accused No. 3. The evidence does not show that accused No. 5 was known to the prosecutrix. There is no possibility that prosecutrix was knowing accused No. 1. The creation of document at Exh. 47 leads to only one inference that accused No. 1 wanted something for his protection. No possibility is created from the evidence of prosecutrix to the effect that she or her mother had allowed other accused to sell the prosecutrix in M.P. or that they had approved the marriage of prosecutrix with accused No. 1. It can be said that the prosecutrix and her mother were thinking that the document at Exh. 47 is the document under which the marriage was shown ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:45 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 24 to be performed. The contents of Exh. 47 shows that the accused persons tried to show that marriage was already performed and only in support of that contention, the document at Exh. 47 was created. No evidence on the marriage is brought on the record and no such suggestion was given either to the prosecutrix or to mother by defence.
34. Police Head Constable Shri. Kale (PW 6) has given evidence that he brought some of the accused to Hingoli during investigation of missing report. His evidence shows that he visited the house of accused No. 1 from Phutphal. Head Constable Shri. Pathan (PW 8) was deputed to make investigation of the crime.
His evidence shows that he collected the so called marriage document, Exh. 47, under panchanama at Exh. 56. He recorded the statements of persons like Bond Writer, Notary Public etc. to collect evidence in respect of execution of Exh. 47. The panchanama of the house of accused No. 1 from Phutphal was also prepared by Pathan. The evidence of Pathan and the documents at Exh. 56, 57 and 47 show that one Raju Tarachand Suryawanshi, brother of accused No. 1, produced Exh. 47 and he was present when the panchanamas were prepared. There is no reason to disbelive both the Head Constables viz. Kale and Pathan.
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35. Arvindkumar Bhatt (PW 9), Advocate and Notary Public from Khandwa has given evidence on notarisation of Exh.
47. He has given evidence that it was told to him that parents of bride were present before him as witnesses. He identified accused No. 2 in the Court. He has deposed that Anusaya w/o. Subhash, resident of Adgaon, put her thumb impression before him. He has given evidence that Vasudev s/o. Subhah, resident of Adgaon, put his thumb impression on Exh. 47 in his presence. This witness identified accused No. 1 in the Court and he has given evidence that accused No. 1 put his signature on Exh. 47 in his presence.
He has given evidence that at Sr. No. 3 and 4, the witnesses put their signatures in his presence. His evidence shows that he has tried to say that accused Nos. 2 and 5 have put their thumb impressions as parents of prosecutrix on this document. It can be said that from the name and father's name of accused No. 5, the Notary Public has not correctly described the relation of accused No. 5 with accused No. 2. However, the fact remains that the Notary public identified accused No. 2 in the Court and his evidence shows that accused No. 5 also put thumb impression on Exh. 47 in his presence and as a relative of prosecutrix. In the cross examination, it is brought on the record that prosecutrix did not complain to him that there was pressure on her for signing the ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:46 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 26 document. This admission cannot make much against the prosecution in view of the relevant circumstances discussed already.
36. The evidence of Notary Public (PW 9) shows that he personally did not know accused No. 1, prosecutrix and the parents of prosecutrix. His evidence shows that only because the matter was referred by one Advocate Somani and one known person Hansraj Tarachand Khutphal was knowing the parties, he notarised the document. He has wrongly described the document as 'marriage document', when in the document itself it is mentioned that marriage was already performed. Thus, the witness did not see or collect record of identification of parties. He had no reason to create such false document and nothing is brought on record against the evidence of this witness. The evidence of this witness needs to be given due weight. This circumstance certainly corroborates the case of prosecutrix.
37. Police Inspector Shri. Dabhade (PW 11) has given evidence that during investigation, he collected specimen thumb impressions of accused Nos. 2 and 5 and he sent the same with Exh. 47 for comparison to Finger Print Expert. He has deposed that Exh. 78 is the report about comparison. This evidence is not ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:46 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 27 disputed by the defence. Exh. 78 shows that the specimen thumb impression of accused No. 5 matches with the thumb impression of accused No. 5 appearing on Exh. 47. However, specimen thumb impression of accused No. 2 on Exh. 47 was not found fit for comparison. This evidence as against accused No. 5 gives corroboration to the case of prosecution. Thus, on one hand the thumb impression of accused No. 5 tallies with his thumb impression appearing on Exh. 47 and on the other hand, there is evidence of Notary Public showing that accused No. 2 had posed herself as mother of prosecutrix when the document was notarised.
38. The Investigating Officer (PW 11) has given evidence that accused No. 2 gave statement under section 27 of Evidence Act and on the basis of this statement, police recovered cash amount of Rs. 8,800/- from the residential place of accused No. 2.
He has given evidence that one Salwar dress was also recovered on the basis of the same statement from the residential place of accused No. 2. The memorandum statement of accused No. 2 is proved as Exh. 72. This recovery was made on 14.1.2008, one day after the arrest of accused No. 2. This amount is said to be part of consideration amount of Rs. 20,000/-. No explanation is given by accused No. 2 in respect of recovery of this amount. This ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:46 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 28 circumstance can be used as circumstantial evidence in corroboration to the case of prosecution.
39. The aforesaid evidence, which is both direct and circumstantial, is sufficient to prove the offences for which the charge was framed as against accused Nos. 2, 3 and 5. The evidence is sufficient to prove that the prosecutrix was kidnapped and she was sold by these accused to accused No.1 for illicit purpose.
40. Prosecutrix (PW 4) has given evidence that after creation of the document at Exh. 47, she was taken to village Phutphal by accused No. 1. This document was created on 3.1.2008. She has given evidence that she and accused No. 1 were left in one room by relatives of accused No. 1 and the room was closed from outside. She has deposed that she was crying and she was refusing, but accused No. 1 forcibly committed sexual intercourse with her. She has described the incident of rape in detail. From the substantive evidence, it can be said that she described only one incident of rape. An attempt was made by the defence counsel to show that the word 'forcibly' was not used by the prosecutrix in previous statement and as already observed the Trial Court has recorded this suggestion. The previous version ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:46 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 29 of prosecutrix as a whole shows that there is the mention of use of force and also the resistance offered by the prosecutrix. Thus, there is no omission or inconsistency on material point in relation to the previous statement of the prosecutrix on the offence of rape. The prosecutrix has identified all the accused in the Court.
She has identified the document at Exh. 47. She has identified her Salwar dress recovered from the residential place of accused No.
2.
41. The defence has tried to show that force was not used by accused No. 1 and the prosecutrix could have escaped from the residential place of accused No. 1. The evidence of prosecutrix shows that there is the house of only uncle of accused No. 1 in the vicinity. Her evidence shows that she tried to disclose about the incident to neighbours, but the persons living there were not able to understand her language.
42. Dr. Shiradkar (PW 12) and Dr. Anjali Patil (PW 13) have given evidence on medical examination of the prosecutrix. It appears that Dr. Shiradkar was examined by the prosecution first as the prosecution was thinking that Dr. Anjali Patil was not available. Dr. Anjali Patil had examined the prosecutrix on 14.1.2007. The record of medical examination of prosecutrix is ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:46 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 30 consistent with her oral evidence that accused No. 1 had taken sexual intercourse with her. The hymen was found in torn condition. Though no injury was found on the person of prosecutrix, it needs to be kept in mind that the incident took place on 3.1.2008, she was examined on 14.1.2008 and there was no possibility of offering of that kind of resistance by prosecutrix in village Phutphal. The record of prosecution, Exh. 84 is consistent with the oral evidence of this witness. It is not the case of defence that accused No. 1 is not capable to take sexual intercourse.
43. The Trial Court has believed all the aforesaid prosecution witnesses. In the case of rape and particularly when there was no reason for prosecutrix to give false evidence as against accused, the Appellate Court needs to be very slow to interfere with the finding given by the Trial Court, which is based on appreciation of oral evidence. In such a case, the Trial Court is in the best position to appreciate the evidence as it has the opportunity to observe demeanor of witnesses like prosecutrix.
The Trial Court is in the position to see and ascertain the understanding of the prosecutrix and also her power to react to situation. It is well settled that when there is appeal against conviction, the Appellate Court must reappraise the evidence, but ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:46 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 31 at the same time, the Appellate Court is expected to keep in mind the limitation on its power of aforesaid nature. Further, there is presumption available under section 114-A of Evidence that when the prosecutrix states that she was not consenting party for sexual intercourse, the Court shall go with such presumption unless it is rebutted. This Court sees no reason to disbelieve the prosecutrix and her mother. The aforesaid evidence is sufficient for proving of the offence punishable under section 376 of I.P.C.
also.
44. The learned counsel for appellants placed reliance on some reported cases. In the case reported as (2003) 4 Supreme Court Cases 46 [Uday Vs. State of Karnataka], the Apex Court has laid down the burden is on prosecution to prove each and every ingredient of the offence including the absence of consent. There cannot be dispute over this proposition. In view of the aforesaid presumption, it can be said that when prosecutrix gives evidence that she had not given consent, the Court should start presuming that there was no such consent unless the presumption is rebutted and probability of consent is created.
45. In the case reported as (2006) 10 Supreme Court Cases 92 [Sadashiv Ramrao Hadbe Vs. State of ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:46 ::: Cri. Appeal Nos. 499 & 500/12 32 Maharashtra and Anr.], the Apex Court held that the story given by the prosecutrix was not probable in nature. Similar observations are made by the Apex Court in the case reported as (2009) 14 Supreme Court Cases 541 [Mussauddin Ahmed Vs. State of Assam]. In this case, the Apex Court held that there was possibility of consent. Similarly, in the cases reported as 2012 ALL MR (Cri) 1248 [Vilas s/o. Sahebrao Gilbile Vs. The State of Maharashtra] (Bombay High Court), (2012) 8 Supreme Court Cases 21 [Rai Sandeep Alias Deepu Vs. State (NCT of Delhi], (2013) 3 Supreme Court Cases 791 [Rajesh Patel Vs. State of Jharkhand], 2007 (1) Mh.L.J. (Cri.) 501 [State of Maharashtra Vs. Nathuram @ Nathu Shripati Walke] (Bombay High Court), 2007 (2) SCC 170 (Ramdas & Ors. Vs. State of Maharashtra] and 1998 CRI.L.J. 4033 SUPREME COURT [Kuldeep K. Mahato Vs. State of Bihar], the Apex Court held that it was not possible to believe the prosecutrix. In these cases, on the facts and circumstances, the Apex Court held that the material was not convincing to base the conviction. The facts and circumstances of each and every case are always different. This Court has already considered and discussed the relevant facts and circumstances of the present case.
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46. On the point of sentence, it can be said that the imprisonment of seven years for offence of rape, imprisonment for one year for offence of kidnapping, imprisonment for three years for offence punishable under section 366-A of I.P.C., the penalty is on lower side. No interference is warranted on the point of penalty also.
47. In the result, this Court holds that there is no ground made out for interference in the decision given by the Trial Court and both the appeals stand dismissed.
[ T. V. NALAWADE, J. ] ssc/ ::: Downloaded on - 27/11/2013 20:17:46 :::