Supreme Court of India

STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESHversusMANGO RAM

Citation: 2000 INSC 411
Decided: 24 August 2000
Disposal: Disposed off
Bench: A S ANAND

Holding

The Court held that the victim was a minor of about fourteen years and that her resistance and submission under terror did not constitute consent, thereby finding the accused guilty of rape under Section 376 of the IPC.

Summary

The State of Himachal Pradesh appealed the acquittal of a 17‑year‑old accused who was found not guilty of raping his 13‑14‑year‑old niece. The trial court had held that the girl was over 16 and had consented, while the High Court affirmed this view. The Supreme Court examined medical reports, dental and radiological age assessments, and the victim's testimony, concluding that she was about 14 years old and had been over‑powered, with no voluntary consent. The Court held that submission under fear does not amount to consent under Section 375 IPC and that the evidence of a lacerated hymen and bloodstains established penetration. Consequently, the acquittal was set aside and the accused was convicted of rape under Section 376 IPC, though a lenient view on sentencing was adopted due to the parties' familial relationship.

Issues considered

The age of the prosecutrix and whether she was a minor under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences.
Whether the victim's resistance and submission under fear constituted consent under Section 375 IPC.
Whether the medical evidence, including absence of spermatozoa and presence of hymenal laceration, was sufficient to prove penetration.
Whether the trial court erred in acquitting the accused on the basis of alleged consent and age.

Legislation cited

Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 375, s. 376

Subjects

rapeconsentminorage of victimmedical evidenceSection 375 IPCSection 376 IPCcriminal lawIndian Penal Code

Judgment

A STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
v.
MANGO RAM

AUGUST 24, 2000

B [DR. A.S. ANAND, CJ., R.C. LAHOTI AND K.G. BALAKRISHNAN, JJ.]

Penal Code, 1860-Sections 375 and 376-Rape-Proof of o.lfence-
Consent for sexual act-Held, the offence is committed; submission under fear
o.f terror cannot be construed as a consented sexual act.
c Respondent-accused, aged about 17 years, committed rape of his
niece, a minor girl. The girl told her father about the incident, who re-
ported the matter to the police. The accused was arrested. Trial Court
acquitted the accused on the ground that the offence of rape had not been
established by the prosecution; that she was above the age of 16 years; and
D that there was consent by her for the sexual act. High Court confirmed it.
Hence the appeal by the State.

State contended that there was sufficient evidence, including medical
evidence, to prove that the accused had committed the offence of rape; that
the offence was committed after she was physically over-powered by the
E accused; that she was below the age of 16 years; and that there was no
consent from her for the sexual act.

The respondent-accused contended that the absence of spermatozoa
in the clothes of the prosecutrix and the accused, as revealed in the chemi-
cal examination, showed that the accused had not committed any sexual
F act; that there were no marks of violence over the breasts, nipples or
cheeks and lips or other external genitals of the prosecutrix; that the
prosecutrix had not deposed anything about the extent of penetration; that
it is only an attempt to outrage the modesty; and that a false case was filed
to get his property.

G Disposing of the appeal, the Court

HELD : 1.1. There is evidence of the Doctors, who examined the
prosecutrix after taking note of physical features to the effect that prosecutrix
must be of the age between 13 to 14 years. This view is more strengthened
by the family history which showed that she was born in the year 1979.
H Therefore, in all probability, the age of the prosecutrix at the time of occur-
626
STATE v. MANGO RAM 627
rence was about 14 years. The certificate of the Medical Officer-cum-Radi- A
ologist, also gives only the probable age of the prosecutrix. Therefore, the
finding of the Trial Court that the prosecutrix was above 16 years is based
on faulty reasons and is not supported by evidence. [632-A-B]

1.2. The reasons attributed by the Trial Court that she had given
consent for the sexual act are not true. According to the prosecutrix, she B
resisted the accused by scratching him with nails but as no nail marks were
found on the body of the accused, the Sessions Judge assumed that there
was consent on the part of the prosecutrix. The accused was examined on
20.4.1993. As the incident occurred on 17.4.1993, even if tl\fre were any
marks of violence on the body of the accused, the same would have been
obliterated and were not so prominent so as to be noticed by the medical c
officer who examined him. Therefore, the absence of nail marks or minor
injuries on the body of the accused is of not much significance. From the
oral evidence of the prosecutrix, it is proved that the accused caught her
from behind and he lifted her and pushed her down and despite her
attempt to cover herself with the salwar, the accused pulled it down. She D
also stah! that the accused gagged her mouth when she attempted to cry
aloud. The subsequent conduct of the prosecutrix also shows that she was
very much resistant to the sexual onslaught on her. She came to her father
immediately and told the entire incident as to how she was ravished by the
accused. The evidence as a whole indicates that there was resistance by the
prosecutrix and there was no voluntary participation by her for the sexual E
act. Submission of the body under the fear of terror cannot be construed as
a consented sexual act. Consent for the purpose of Section 375 I.P.C.
requires voluntary participation not only after the exercise of intelligence
based on the knowledge of the significance and moral quality of the act but
also after having fully exercised the choice between the resistance
and assent. From the evidence on record, it cannot be said that the
F
prosecutrix has given consent and thereafter she turned round and acted
against the interest of the accused. There is a clear credible evidence that
she resisted the onslaught and made all possible efforts to prevent the
accused from committing rape on her. Therefore, the finding of the Trial
Court that there was consent on the part of the prosecutrix is without any G
basis. [632-C-H]

1.3. The medical certificate issued by the doctor clearly indicated
that there was laceration of the hymen :ind clotting of blood at the vaginal
orifice. This item of medical evidence is to be appreciated in the back-
ground of the oral evidence given by the prosecutrix. She deposed that H
628 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2000] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.
A accused lifted down her salwar and had sexual act with her. It is not known
whether these clothes were washed before they were subjected to chemical
examination. A piece of cloth which was recovered from the place of
occurrence and the wearing apparel worn by the prosecutrix were stained
with blood. The Sessions Judge made a casual observation that these blood
stains might have been caused due to the menstruation of the prosecutrix.
B PW-2 stated that she had no history of menstruation and there was uo
suggestion also on the part of the accused as to whether the prosecutrix
sustained injury on account of any other violent act. The evidence of PW-
2 on these facts are not seen challenged in cross-examination. (633-D-F]

1.4. In view of the evidence of the prosecutrix, which is corroborated
c by medical evidence and other item of evidence and in the absence of any
consent on the part of the prosecutrix, it is clearly established that the
accused had committed rape on the prosecutrix and is liable for the offence
punishable under Section 376 I.P.C. The finding given by the Trial Court is
not based on proper appreciation of evidence and, therefore, unreasonable
and it has dealt with the case lightly. The offence of rape being a serious
-
D
one, the case should have received careful attention. The Trial Court and
High Court should have shown greater sensitivity to such type of cases.
The evidence should have been appreciated on broader probabilities and
not to be carried away by insignificant contradictions. [633-G-H]

E 1.5. The finding of the Trial Court, which was confirmed by the High
Court is reversed and the accused is held guilty of the offence punishable
under Section 376 I.P.C. [634-8]

2. As regards the sentence, a lenient view is taken for the reason that
the prosecutrix and the accused are related. They were both teenagers with
F an age difference of about 2-3 years. Both were immature and young. The
incident happened in 1993. After the acquittal, by passage of time, the
members of the two families must have buried their hatchet, if any, arisen
on account of this incident. Thus the sentence already undergone by the
accused is sufficient to meet the ends of justice. [634-C-D]

G CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No. 790
of 1996. -
From the Judgment and Order dated 5.12.95 the Himachal Pradesh High
Court in Crl.M.P.(M) No. 1089 of 1995.

H J.S. Attri, Anil Soni for Ms. Meenakshi Arora for the Appellant.
STATE v. MANGO RAM [BALAKRISHNAN, J.] 629
U.U. Lalit and Ms. Aprajita Singh for the Respondent. A

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

BALAKRISHNAN, J. This appeal has been filed by the State ofHimachal
Pradesh against the acquittal of the accused for the offence under Section 376
I.P.C. The respondent-accused was tried by the Court of Sessions Judge, Chamba B
Division of Himachal Pradesh alleging that he committed rape of a girl aged
13 years.

The prosecution case is that the prosecutrix was the eldest daughter of
Jagia Ram. Jagia Ram is a small agriculturist residing with his wife Smt. Pinji
and children in a village by name Kuthed. He is a native of neighbouring c
village Bhadhad. The accused is his brother-in-law being the brother of his
wife, Smt. Pinji. The accused was aged about 17 years and was the student of
VIIIth standard during the relevant time. On 17.4.1993, Smt. Pinji asked her
daughter to go to village Bhadhad and get the plough kept in the house of Jagia ·
Ram. Prosecutrix left for Bhadhad at about 6.00 p.m. on 17.4.1993. Accused
also accompanied the prosecutrix. When she entered her father's house at
D
Bhadhad to get the plough, accused followed her and when she reached the
cow-shed, she was caught by the accused from behind. Prosecutrix tried to
extricate herself from him but she was over-powered by the accused and was
made to lie on the floor of the cow-shed. The accused then untied the knot of
her salwar and lifted it down and thereafter, committed sexual act. There was E
a bleeding from her private part. The prosecutrix returned home immediately
and told her father Jagia Ram about the incident. Jagia Ram went to PW 8, Sh.
Devi Chand, Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat of the area who, in turn, advised
to lodge a complaint to the police. Jagia ram reported the matter to the police.
As the prosecutrix was having a severe pain and uncomfort, she did not
accompany her father to the police station. F

The police registered the case and investigation was commenced.
Prosecutrix was subjected to medical examination by the PW 2, Dr. Veena
Sehgal. The accused was arrested and PW 1, Dr. Hemant Sharma examined
him. Police visited the place of occurrence and recovered a blood stained piece
of cloth. The salwar and kameez worn by the prosecutrix at the time of the G
occurrence were also recovered. In the course of investigation, the police
collected a family history book which indicated the age of the prosecutrix and
the accused.

The piece of cloth recovered from the place of occurrence and the
H
630 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2000] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.
A kameez worn by the prosecutrix were found to be stained with blood and on
serological test found to have blood of A +ve group. Even though, there were
some blood stains on the salwar, the grouping could not be made. The under-
garments worn by the accused during the relevant time were also recovered and
subjected to chemical examination and it neither contained blood nor sperma-
tozoa.
B
The prosecutrix was medically examined by PW 2 Dr. Veena Sehgal. She
observed as under:~

"She was a girl of average built, conscious, well oriented in place
and time. Height 4'-10 112", weight 31 kg. Breasts and papilae were
c elevated as small mounds and there was enlargement of areolas diam-
eter. Axillary hairs were not developed. Pubic hairs were not devel-
oped. She was referred to Dentist for examining her dental age. There
were no marks of violence over the breasts, nipples, cheeks and lips.

D
No marks of violence were seen on the external genitals, perineum,
abdomen, chest, back, limbs, neck and face. Menarche not yet attained.
-
Perinea! examination:

There were no marks of injury over vulva. Hymen found intact
with a small laceration at 6' o clock position. Clotted blood was seen
at vaginal orifice, which admitted tip of the finger with great diffi-
E culty".

On the basis of the above examination, PW 2 Dr. Veena Sehgal
opined as under:-

"From the above, it was difficult to say whether intercourse has
F taken place or not. Vaginal swab slide was prepared and got examined
microscopically in the District Hospital, Charnba under which no dead
or alive sperms were seen. Her blood group was A +VE. She was also
referred for X-ray to determine her radiocal age".

G PW2 Dr. Veena Sehgal was of the view that the age of the prosecutrix
at the time of the examination would have been 13 years or 14 years. PW 3
Dr. Lokender Badotra, a Senior Medical Officer(Dental) opined that the
prosecutrix was about 13 years of age and issued a certificate. PW 13, Medial
Officer-cum-Radiologist, based on X-Ray examination of prosecutrix, stated
that the age of the prosecutrix must be within 14 to 16 years.
H
STATE v. MANGO RAM [BALAKRISHNAN, J.] 631
Fourteen witnesses were examined on the side of the prosecution. The A
prosecutrix was examined as PW 5 and her father fagia Ram was examined at
PW 7. Both of them firmly supported prosecution. The other items of evidence
include the medical evidence.

The Sessions Court acquitted the accused on the ground that the ingre-
dients of the offence of rape had not been established and there was no B
penetration as alleged by the prosecution. The learned Sessions Judge was of
the view that the prosecutrix must have been above the age of 16 years and
the evidence as a whole indicated that there was a consent on the part of the
prosecutrix to have the sexual act. The learned Single Judge before whom the
appeal was filed by the State did not interfere with the findings of the learned C
Sessions Judge by holding that a view taken by the Trial Court was not either
perverse or grossly wrong. The learned Single Judge also observed that the
medical evidence did not positively point out the commission of the alleged
offence on the prosecutrix.

The above findings are challenged before this Court. We heard the D
Counsel for the appellant and also Mr. U. U. Lalit, for the accused who was
appointed as amicus curiae. The Counsel for the appellant contended that the
findings entered by the learned Sessions Judge which were confirmed by the
learned Single Judge are unsustainable and that there was ample evidence to
show that the accused had committed the offence of rape. It was contended that E
the prosecutrix was below the age of 16 years and there was no consent on her
part for any sexual act and she was physically over-powered by the accused
and medical evidence clearly indicated that she was ravished by the accused.
Whereas the Counsel for the respondent-accused contended that the absence
of spermatozoa either in the clothes worn by the prosecutrix or in the under-
garment of the accused which were subjected to chemical examination clearly F
showed that the accused had not committed any sexual act. The Counsel for
the accused-respondent submitted that this is a false case filed against the
accused to get at his property.

We carefully considered the rival contentions and also perused the records G
and the impugned judgments. The verdict of not guilty has been entered by the
learned Sessions Judge mainly based on two grounds that the prosecutrix was
aged above sixteen years and if at all there was any sexual act, it must have
been with her consent. Both these findings are erroneous and incorrect.

As regards age of the prosecutrix, there is evidence of PW 2 Dr. Veena H
632 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2000] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.

A Sehgal who examined the prosecutrix and after taking note of physical features
stated that prosecutrix must be of the age between 13 to 14 years. PW 3 Dr.
Lokender Badotra, who examined the prosecutrix also supported this version.
This view is more strengthened by the family history which showed that she
was born in the year 1979. Therefore, in all probability, the age of the prosecutrix
at the time of occurrence was about fourteen years. The certificate of PW 13,
B
the Medical Officer-cum-Radiologist, also gives only the probable age of the
prosecutrix. Therefore, the finding of the learned Sessions Judge that prosecutrix
was above the age of sixteen is based on faulty reasons and is unsupported by
evidence.

C Even if it is assumed that the prosecutrix was above 16 years, the reasons
attributed by the learned Sessions. Judge to prove that she had given consent
for the sexual act are not true. According to the prosecutrix, she resisted the
accused by scratching him with nails but as no nail marks were found on the
body of the accused, the learned Sessions Judge was of the view that for this
reason, it is to be assumed that there was consent on the part of the prosecutrix.
D The accused was eX'lmined on 20.4.1993. As the incident occurred on 17.4.1993,
even if there were any marks of violence on the body of accused, the same
would have been obliterated and were not so prominent so as to be noticed by
the medical officer who examined him. Therefore, the absence of nail marks
or minor injuries on the body of the accused is of not much significance. From
E the oral evidence of the prosecutrix (PW 5), it is proved that the accused caught
her from behind and he lifted her and pushed her down and despite her attempt
to cover herself with the salwar, the accused pull it down. She also stated that
the accused gagged her mouth when she attempted to cry a loud. The subse-
quent conduct of the prosecu!I"ix also shows that she was very much resistant
to the sexual onslaught on her. She came to her father immediately and told
F the entire incident as to how she was ravished by the accused. The evidence
as a whole indicates that there was resistance by the prosecutrix and there was
no voluntary participation. by her for the sexual act. Submission of the body
under the fear of terror cannot be construed as a consented sexual act. Consent
for the purpose of Section 375 requires voluntary participation not only after
G the exercise of intelligence based on the knowledge of the significance and
moral quality of the act but after having fully exercised the choice between the
resistance and assent. Whether there was consent or not, is to be ascertained
only on a careful study of all relevant circumstances. From the evidence on
record, it cannot be said that the prosecutrix had given consent and thereafter
she turned round and acted against the interest of the accused. There is a clear
STATE v. MANGO RAM [BALAKRISHNAN, J.] 633
credible evidence that she resisted the onslaught and made all possible efforts A
to prevent the accused from committing rape on her. Therefore, the finding
entered by the learned Sessions Judge that there was consent on the part of the
prosecutrix is without any basis.

The learned Counsel for the accused argued that there were no marks of
violence over the breasts, nipples or cheeks and lips or other external genitals B
of the prosecutrix and that she herself had not deposed anything about the
extent of penetration and this would indicate that there was no corrunission of
the offence. It was argued that the absence of the spermatozoa in the clothes
worn by the prosecutrix and the accused also indicated that there was no sexual
act and at the most this would have been only an attempt to outrage the modesty C
of the girl. We are not inclined to. accept this contention.

The medical certificate issued by PW 2 Dr. Veena Sehgal clearly indi-
cates that there was laceration of the hymen at 6' o clock position and clotting
of blood was seen at the vaginal orifice. This item of medical evidence is to
be appreciated in the background of the oral evidence given by PW 5, the D
prosecutrix. She deposed that accused lifted down her salwar and had sexual
act with her. It is not known whether these clothes were washed before they
were subjected to chemical examination. A piece of cloth which was recovered
from the place of occurrence and the wearing apparel worn by the prosecutrix
were stained with blood. The learned Sessions Judge made a casual observation
E
that these blood stains might have been caused due to the menstruation of the
prosecutrix. PW 2 Dr. Veena Sehgal stated that she had no history of menstrua-
tion and there was no suggestion also on the part of the accused as to whether
the prosecutrix sustained injury on account of any other violent act. The
evidence of PW 2 Dr. Veena Sehgal on these facts are not seen challenged in
cross-examination. F

In view of the evidence of prosecutrix (PW 5), which is corroborated by
medical evidence and other item of evidence and in the absence of any consent
on the part of the prosecutrix, it is clearly established that the accused had
committed rape on the prosecutrix and is liable for the offence punishable
under Section 376 I.P.C. The finding given by the learned Sessions Judge is G
not based on proper appreciation of evidence and, therefore, unreasonable and
we are of the view that the Sessions Court dealt the case so lightly. The offence
of raoe being a serious .one, the case should have received careful attention and
that the learned Sessions Judge and the learned Single Judge should have
shown greater sensitivity to these type of cases. The evidence should have been H
634 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2000] SUPP. 2 S.C.R.
A appreciated on broader probabilities and not to be carried away by insignificant
contradictions.

In view of the foregoing conclusions, we reverse the findings of the
learned Sessions Judge which was confirmed by learned Single Judge and find
that the accused is guilty of the offence punishable under Section 376 I.P.C.
B As regards the sentence, we take a lenient view for the reason that the prosecutrix
and accused are related. They were both teenagers with an age difference of
about 2-3 years. Both were immature and young. Evidence indicates no marks
of violence at all on any part of the body of the prosecutrix. The incident
happened in 1993. After the acquittal by passage of time, the members of the
C two families must have buried their hatchet if any arisen on account of this
incident. The learned Counsel for the respondent argued that a further order for
custodial sentence at this distance of time may cause rapture to social harmony
in the village life and may only help to rekindle the flames of anger which have
been smouldering for so long between near relatives. Having regard to all these
matters, we hold that sentence already undergone by the accused would be
D sufficient to meet the ends of justice, and we do according! y.

The appeal is accordingly disposed of.

B.S. Appeal disposed of.

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