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14. The meaning of the two words in the phraseology 'carnal intercourse' may be understood by reference to certain Dictionaries.
Butterworths Medical Dictionary, Section Edition furnishes the meaning of the words, intercourse' 'coitus' and 'carnal knowledge' at pages 896, 386 and 302 respectively thus :
INTERCOURSE : Coitus, Carnal Intercourse, Sexual Intercourse,
Coitus (L. Intercoursus interposition).
COITUS : Sexual union Coitus, Incompletus Coitus,
Interruptus Coitus in which the male organ is
withdrawn from the vagina before ejaculation
takes place.
: Coitus Reservatus, Sexual intercourse in which the
male withholds his orgasm until the female climax
or as a means of contraception, or sometimes as a
morbid condition associated with inability to
ejaculate. Coitus A x LA Vache Coitus from behind
with the female partner in the knee-chest position
(L. Coire to come together).
CARNAL KNOWLEDGE : Sexual connection or partial sexual connection
with some degree of penetration. (L. cargo flesh,
knowledge)."
(2) AIR 1925 Sind 286 : (1925 (26) Cri LJ 945) (Khanu v. Emperor) : The question which was posed for consideration in this case was whether the accused (who is clearly guilty of having committed the sin of Gomorrah coitus per os) with a certain little child, the innocent accomplice of his abomination, has thereby committed an offence under Section 377, IPC. It was observed :
"Is the act here committed one of carnal intercourse ? If so, it is clearly against the order of nature, because the natural object or carnal intercourse is that there should be the possibility of conception of human beings, which in the case of coitus per os is impossible ........... By a metapher the word intercourse, like the word commerce, is applied to the relations of the sexes. Here also there is that temporary visitation of one organism by a member of the other organisation, for certain clearly defined and limited objects. The primary object of the visiting organisation is to obtain euphoria by means of a detent of the nerves consequent on the sexual crisis. But there is no intercourse unless the visiting member is enveloped at least partially by the visited organism, for intercourse connotes reciprocity. Looking at the question in this way, it would seem that the sin of Gomorrah is no less carnal intercourse than the sin of Sodom."
The act was the actual replacement of desire of coitus and would amount to an offence punishable under section 377. There was an entry of male penis in the orifice of the mouth of the victim. There was the enveloping of a visiting member by the visited organism. There was thus reciprocity; intercourse connotes reciprocity. In could, therefore, be said that the act in question amounted to an offence punishable under section 377.
What was sought to be conveyed by the explanation was that even mere penetration would be sufficient to constitute carnal intercourse, necessary to the offence referred to in Section 377. Seminal discharge, i.e., the full act of intercourse was not the essential ingredient to constitute an offence in question.