Para 12
Para 12
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accused Jet Sankar caught hold of her legs and accused Fanibhasan
made forcible intercourse. On being informed by PW. 4, PWs. 5, 6,
10 and other went to the spot. PW. 5 Priyabandhu Pradhan arrived at
the spot first and saw three bicycles lying on the road, saw head of a
boy inside a pit and proceeded towards the spot. He saw Fanibhusan
making intercourse with the prosecutrix. He saw accused
Dinabandhu Behera gagging the mouth of the prosecutrix in one
hand, and catching hold of her hand by another hand and accused
Jeet Sankar was catching hold of another hand of the prosecutrix and
raising her one leg. Accused Fanibhusan was naked. Seeing him,
accused persons started running. PW 5 caught hold of Fanibhusan,
who was naked and the other villagers saw the other two accused
persons running away, chased them and caught hold of them. Nakru
Kishan (PW. 4), father of the prosecutrix also arrived there. They
asked the names of the accused persons. The prosecutrix got up and
put on her pant and later on lost her senses. She was unable to talk
and was feeling thirsty. So she was taken to village. The three
accused persons were taken to the village club house, their names
were ascertained with address, and subsequently were taken to the
Bonaigarh police station. On the basis of information lodged by PW.
4 a written report was prepared, investigation was undertaken, and
the prosecutrix and the accused persons were sent for medical
examination. The wearing apparels of the prosecutrix were also
seized. Test identification parade was held where the accused
persons were duly identified by prosecutrix. After completion of
investigation, charge sheet was submitted.
4. The accused persons pleaded innocence. According to them, while
they were returning from Chura Munda village saw two Girls and asked
them as to where they were going, upon which one of the girts fled
away and informed the villagers, who came, caught hold of them, as
Page: 1564
saulted them and produced them before Police Station, and the case
has been falsely foisted against them.
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there is evidence of. several persons who on reaching the spot had
found the accused persons near the prosecutrix, and one of them
naked. Absence of injuries is not of such consequence as the evidence
of prosecutrix, is credible, and evidence of PWs 5, 6 and 10 further
strengthens the credibility. Accused persons have accepted their
presence at the spot. The occurrence
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each one of the victims where are once then one in order to find the
accused guilty of gang rape. [See Promod Mehta v. The State of
Bihar: 1989 Supp (2) SCC 672 : AIR 1989 SC 1475 : (1989 Cri LJ
1479). The evidence on record in the case at hand establishes gang
rape. The accused persons have been rightly found guilty under
section 376, IPC.
18. Further question is whether the sentence of imprisonment for life
as awarded is proper. As observed by a Division Bench of this Court in
Ramroop Das v. State, (1993) 6 OCR 120 : (1993 Cri LJ 1000),
alternative punishments are provided for in respect of offences relatable
to any of the categories under sub-section (2) of Section 376, IPC.
Imprisonment for ten years is the normal rule, while that for life is the
exception. Award of life imprisonment is dependent on several factors.
There the act is brutal in character, leaving the victim ravished, in a
given case, it may be awarded. Provisio to sub-section (2) of Section
376, IPC enables the Court to award less than ten years' imprisonment
in special circumstances. The case at hand is a sad reflection of the
decadent society we live. Morals are sicking to alarmingly low depths.
There young persons, barely out of their teens have ventured into the
forbidden territory of pre-marital sex. They belong to a remote village in
Sundargarh district. Their realisation of the misdeed done by them,
which resulted in indelible ignomity to victim of their lust is apparent,
and their answers in the statements recorded under Section 313 of the
Code show traces of repentance. They have admitted their presence at
the spot. That they were in pursuit of their first taste of sex without any
violent intention is amply indicated in the statement of the prosecutrix.
She has seated that accused Jeet Sankar gave two to three strokes and
left her. Similar is the case with accused Fani. There is no evidence of
any preplan to commit the crime. On a chance meeting lust appears to
have overtaken their conscience. In our opinion, therefore, the proviso
to subsection (2)
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of Section 376, IPC can be pressed into service, and seven years'
rigorous imprisonment would be adequate.
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