The Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted a man in a 24-year-old rape case, setting aside his conviction and seven-year prison sentence awarded by a trial court.
Justice Surya Pratap Singh observed that while sexual assault is a grave offence and genuine victims deserve justice, courts must also safeguard individuals from false allegations. The judge said it cannot be presumed that every allegation is automatically true and that each case must be decided on the basis of credible evidence and established facts.
The case originated from an FIR registered in 2002 at Chandimandir Police Station under Sections 376, 452 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code. The accused had challenged the trial court's 2004 judgment before the High Court.
During the hearing, the court found significant weaknesses in the prosecution's case. It noted that key witnesses were not examined, there were inconsistencies in the complainant's statements and the chain of evidence remained incomplete.
Considering these shortcomings, the High Court held that the prosecution had failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt and acquitted the accused.
The court also observed that false allegations of rape, if proven, can inflict severe psychological, social and legal consequences on the accused. It emphasised that every such case should be decided solely on the strength of evidence and the specific facts before the court.
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