The State Of Karnataka vs Mapilla P.P. Soopi on 23 September, 2003
In the case of State of Karnataka vs. Mapilla P.P.
Soopi AIR 2004 SC 83, it was held that undue delay in lodging the
complaint, without substantive evidence contributes to the doubt in
the prosecution case. In the case of Vijayan vs. State of Kerala (2008)
14 SCC 763, the incident took place seven months prior to the date of
lodging of complaint. No complaint or grievance was made either to
the police or to the parents prior thereto. It was held that in cases
where sole testimony of the prosecutrix is available, it is very
dangerous to convict the accused, specially when the prosecutrix
could venture to wait for seven months for filing FIR for rape. This
leaves the accused totally defenceless. Had the prosecutrix lodged the
complaint soon after the incident, there would have been some
FIR No. : 407/14
PS : Govind Puri
State Vs. Jaspal Singh @ Sonu Page No. 23/28
supportive evidence like the medical report or any other injury on the
body of the prosecutrix so as to show the sign of rape.