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IN THE COURT OF THE FAST TRACK SPECIAL COURT FOR EXPEDITIOUS TRIAL AND
DISPOSAL OF RAPE AND POCSO ACT CASES MEDCHAL MALKAJGIRI DISTRICT : AT
MEDCHAL
PRESENT:SRI D. VENKATESH, II ADJ,
FAC Fast Track Court for expeditious trial and Disposal of Rape and POCSO Act Cases, Medchal
DATED THIS THE 29 th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2024
Spl SC No. 338 of 2022
NAME OF THE COMPLAINANT State of Telangana through The Inspector of Police, PS Medchal
NAME OF ACCUSED Magini Kumar S/o. Late Ramanaiah, Aged: 24 Yrs, Occ: Plumber, R/o: Vajpainagar, Chintal. OFFENCES UNDER SECTION354-A, 366-A IPC, Sec 11 r/w 18 of POCSO Act 2012. PLEA OF THE ACCUSED Pleaded Not guilty FINDING OF THE COURTFound not Guilty SENTENCEIn the result,Accused is found not guilty for the offence punishable under section 354-A, 366-A of IPC and section 11 r/w 18 of POCSO Act. Accordingly, Accused is acquitted U/s 235(1) of CRPC. Bonds and Bail Bonds of Accused shall stands canceled subject to section 437 (A) of CRPC. COUNSEL FOR PROSECUTIONSri Sham Rao, Addl. Public Prosecutor COUNSEL FOR DEFENCESri G.Srihari Reddy, Legal aid Counsel for Accused
This case is coming before me for final hearing on 12.06.2023 in the presence of Sri. Sham Rao, Addl. Public Prosecutor for the State and Sri . G.Srihari Reddy, Legal aid Counsel, for accused and after hearing both sides and after perusing the material on record to till this day this Court delivered the following:-
:: J U D G M E N T ::
1.Accused stands charged for the offence punishable under Section 354-A, 366-A of
IPC and Sec 11 r/w 18 of POCSO Act 2012.
2. THE BRIEF FACTS OF THE PROSECUTION CASE ARE: On 02-09-2020 at 8:30 A.M [LW1]- Mother of victim filed police report alleging that her daughter of aged 6 Years was playing at her residence and also near her Beauty Parlour situated near her house.
On 30-08-2020 between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM, her daughter was found missing. They
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have searched for her but meanwhile she came back to beauty parlour. Since then her daughter was found reluctant in playing outside. On enquiry she revealed that on sunday at 6:30 PM, while she was playing outside, one unknown person came on motor cycle, called her stating that he would buy chocolate. Later he took away her to unknown place, asked her to remove inner wear and her removed his pants. When she got scared and raised alarm, said person left that place informing that her mother would come.
Subsequently one person came and dropped her near her beauty parlour and went away.
Since some unknown person has abducted and disrobed her daughter she filed police report.
3. Basing on the Police Report a case in Cr No. 603 of 2020 U/s.354-A, 366-A of IPC and section 11 r/w 18 of POCSOact was registered.
4.During the course of investigation, [LW14]- S.Ramesh, Inspector of Police, Ps.Pet-
Basheerabad examined and recorded the statements of [LW1]- Mother of the victim, [LW2]- Father of the victim and [LW3]- Victim girl. He got recorded the statement of the victim girl through [LW9]- Roopa. He visited the scene of offence and conducted scene of offence panchanama in the presence of [LW5]- Ankadala Phagun Rao and [LW6]-
Gundisetti Prasad. Later, he collected CCTV footage from [LW12]- Vasa Ganapathi along with Section 65-B IEA Certificate. He also got recorded the 164 Cr.PC statement the victim. On 03-10-2020, SI of Police received information as to arrest of Accused in connection to Cr No. 661 of 2020 u/s 363, 384 IPC and Sec 7 r/w 8 of POCSO Act and on interrogation he confessed to have committed this offence. As such he filed requisition
before XXII MM for PT warrant and got regularized his arrest in this case. After
completion of investigation, he filed chargesheet.
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5.Upon filing of final result U/Sec.173 of Cr.P.C. by the Inspector of police,
Medchal Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Ranga Reddy District taken cognizance of offence U/s.354-A, 366-A of IPC and section 11 r/w 18 of POCSO
05.On appearance of accused before this court and on considering the entire material available on record, a charge for the offence U/Sec.354-A, 366-A IPC and
Sec 11 r/w 18 of POCSO Act 2012 was framed against the accused. It was read over and explained to the accused in Telugu to which the accused pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried for the charge.
5.To prove its case, the prosecution as many as (10) witnesses examined and list of witnesses examined as PWs.1 to P9 are as under:
(i). Mother of the victim (PW1)
(ii). Father of the victim (PW2)
(iii). Victim Girl (PW3)
(iv).Sri. Paluguna Rao (PW4) Panch witness for confession-cum-seizure panchanama
(v). G.Shyam Kumar (PW5) Panch witness for confession-cum-seizure panchanama
(vi). Sri.E.Roopa (PW6) recorded the Statement of Victim (Vii). P.Jaya Lakshmi (PW7) Nodal Officer, AP & TS – LSA (Viii). Sri. Vasa Ganapathi (PW8) who given 65-B Certificate
(ix). Sri. S.Ramesh, Inspector of police (PW9) Investigating Officer and filed charge sheet
(x). Sri. K.Gowtham, Inspector of police, (PW10) Investigating Officer who apprehended the accused.
06.Heard arguments on both sides.
07. Now the points that arise for determination is:
i.Whether on 30-09-2020 victim girl was under eighteen years of age and
MINORS under section 2 (1) (d) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence
Act, 2012?
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ii.Whether the Prosecution has proved the guilt of the Accused for the offence under Sec. 354-A, 366-A of IPC and Sec 11 r/w 18 of the POCSO Act beyond reasonable doubt?
POINT No.1::
08.Prosecution alleged that Accused have outraged the modesty of the victim girls by disrobing her for which a charge under Sec. 354-A, 366-A of IPC and Sec 11 and 18 of the POCSO Act was framed against them. To attract this offence, one of the essential ingredients to be proved by the Prosecution is that the victim girl shall be considered as a child as on the date of commission of alleged offence under the POCSO Act.
09.Section 2 (1) (d) of the POCSO Act defines the child. Any person below the age of eighteen years is termed as child. Therefore, now it is to be seen whether
PW-3/victim girl was child as on the date of alleged offence under the POCSO Act.
As the criminal jurisprudence in India speaks about the presumption of innocence, burden lies on the prosecution to prove that the Accused committed the offence.
Though, the POCSO Act is a special statute imposing reverse burden on the
Accused, even then, the initial burden shall be on the prosecution. Prosecution is duty bound to prove that the victim is aged below the age of 18 years.
10.According to the case of Prosecution, victim No.1 was aged about 6 years as on the date of incident and she was studying UKG. PW1 being mother and father of the victim deposed that their daughter is aged about 6 Years as on the date of the incident. Even victim on questioning deposed that she was aged 6 years as on the date of incident and she was aged 9 years as on the date of evidence. She was studying UKG. Though she was a student and aged 6 years, the investigating
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agency did not choose to collect any birth record from PW1,2 or the school in which she was studying. However when the appearance of the victim is considered it appears that she was aged about 9 or 10 Years as on the date of incident. Since her appearance appears to be aged less than 18 Years including the formal mental status as per the questions posed by the court, her age has to be considered that she was aged less than 18 years. Further no contrary evidence is placed before the court by the Accused believe the age of victim as more than 18 Years. Thus, the date of birth of PW-3/victim girl is almost remained unrebutted. In view of the prosecution established that victim was aged below 18 years of age as required u/s 2 of the POCSO Act, prosecution case is to be believed holding that the victims are aged below the age of 18 Years. Therefore, the Point No.1 is answered in favour of the Prosecution.
POINT No.2
11.According to the prosecution case, PW3 is the victim girl. PW1 is the mother of girl victim. PW2 is the father of victim. PW1 and 2 in their evidence deposed that on 30-08-2020 their daughter was playing outside of the beauty parlour and
PW1 was in the Parlour. After some time the child was not found and though they searched could not be traced. At about 7:30 PM, their daughter was brought by one person and on enquiry he informed that she was found crying on the road.
PW1 further deposed that when the daughter was found dull for one or two days she questioned her and her daughter disclosed that on the day of her missing the person who took her on motor cycle asked her to remove her inner wear and he removed his pants. When she got panic and cried some by-passers seen her as to where she live and her parents. On her information, they brought her to parlour and dropped. Even PW2 deposed the same terms of PW1. However, it can be
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understood that the evidence of PW1 and 2 is circumstantial in nature. They being the parents of the victim obviously speak in the favour and further they came to know about the alleged incident from their 6 Years daughter. As such they has to be considered as hearsay witness whose evidence cannot be accepted.
12. PW3 is the victim girl and in her evidence she deposed that on 30-08-2020 at 6:30 PM, while she was playing heat her mothers beauty parlour one uncle came and informed that he know her parents and he would take her to them by giving chocolate. Later he took her to some distance to a pond where he removed his pant and inner wear and asked to remove her inner wear. When she started crying he left and fled away. She also deposed that two unknown persons asked as to where she live and on information they dropped at the mothers parlour. On questioning as to identification witness identified the Accused. During the course of cross-examination PW3 admitted presence of her friend while she was alleged to have taken by the Accused. However said friend is not examined. Further according to PW1 to 3 victim was playing in front of parlour of her mother. In such case the victim going with Accused on luring as to taking to parents on the pretext of chocolate does not appear to be considerable. When victim was aware that her mother was in the parlour, question of Accused taking her on the pretext of taking her to parents does not arise.
13.Secondly, PW3 admits about the presence of her friend with her when she was taken by alleged Accused. Investigating agency did not taken steps to examine the said friend. Thirdly, no steps for identification of Accused was taken by the Investigating officer. The identification of the Accused by the victim after two years of the alleged incident is not proper and not believable more
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particularly when the victim is of age 6 years. She identifying the Accused without seeing thereafter is almost remote. It clearly shows that he was shown by the prosecution on the date of evidence. Therefore, the evidence of PW3 does not inspire confidence.
13.PW4 is the mediator for recording scene of offence panchanama. He categorically deposed about the panchanama conducted at beauty parlour. It is the place where beauty parlour is situated. It is the place from where the alleged abduction took place. No scene of offence panchanama was conducted the place where alleged removal of clothes was taken or the place from where the victim was rescued by two unknown persons. Therefore, the evidence of PW4 is of no help to prosecution case.
14. PW5-Shyam Kumar is the mediator for recording confession of Accused.
Though PW5 deposed about the confession of Accused it is hit by section 25 and 26 of Indian evidence Act. Though a motor cycle and mobile phone was seized from the Accused, it was not produced before this court which proves fatal to prosecution case. In the absence of production of motor cycle or mobile phone the evidence of PW5 is of no help to prosecution case.
15.PW6-Roopa is the Woman police officer who recorded the statement of the victim as required under section 22 of POCSO Act. She deposed about she recording the statement of victim on 02-09-2020 at the house of victim at
Subashnagar. Though she deposed about the recording of statement since it was a procedural formality it can be understood to the extent of following the procedure.
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16.PW8-Ganapathi was the CCTV camera installer and he collected the footage. He deposed that he do installation of CCTV Cameras and as per the instructions of SI of Police he has obtained the CCTV footage near by Scene of offence. He deposed that he have seen two persons dropping the victim in the footage. He obtained footage from the DVR and handed over to police. During the course of cross-examination he admitted that he was not the owner of the
CCTV and he collected the footage. As per the evidence of PW8, he was the person for mere obtained the footage of CCTV. His evidence speaks about the footage which may not help the prosecution for fastening the criminal liability.
Further neither the Accused nor the motor cycle was found in the footage for believing the allegation.
17.PW-9- S. Ramesh is the IO who registered the case and conducted part of investigation. He deposed that on 02-09-2020, he received police report from the mother of victim girl, basing on which he registered the case in Cr No 603 of 2020
U/S 354-A,366-A of IPC and section 18 of POCSO Act and issued FIR which is Ex.P9.
18.He further deposed that, he examined and got recorded the statements of the victim girl through women SI of Police. He deposed that he visited Scene of offence and conducted Scene of offence Panchanama in the presence of [LW5]
Phalgun rao and [LW6] G. Prasad. He deposed that he got recorded the statement of the victim and her mother U/s.164 of CRPC through XXII Metropolitan
Magistrate.
19.He deposed that on 03-10-2020, [LW13]-K. Goutham (SI OF POLICE) arrested the Accused and on interrogation, he voluntarily confessed the
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commission of offence. As such he was sent for judicial remand. He filed a requisition before XXII MM for issuance of PT Warrant and got regularized the arrest. After completion of investigation and collecting the certificates, he filed charge sheet. During the course of cross-examination, PW9 admitted about the delay of 3 days in filing the report. He admitted not tracing the persons who brought the victim girl and dropped at the parlour of her mother. He admitted that there are houses at a distance of 300 Meters from FOXSAGAR lake. However he denied the suggestion of false implication of the Accused.
20.As can be seen from the record, the allegation against the Accused is u/s 366 and 354-A of IPC. Since the victim in the case is a child below the age of 18
Years, a charge u/s 18 of POCSO Act was included. The prosecution case says about the incident on 30-08-2020 and the report was filed on 02-09-2020. There is a delay of 3 days in filing the report. No explanation was offered for not filing the report after 3 Days. The reason submitted for delay is that the victim girl revealed the incident on the said day. When the mother is aware of the abduction and they searched for the child, at least they would have filed report in respect of
Abduction since it is also a serious offence. Therefore, the explanation offered is not convincing to believe. The delay is to be answered properly. In the absence of the proper explanation, the prosecution case needs to be doubted for deliberations.
21.The prosecution alleged abduction by Accused. Except the evidence of victim of aged 6 Years, there is no evidence on record to believe their version.
Though the mother and other witnesses spoken about the abduction they are hearsay witnesses. Their evidence cannot be taken into consideration for securing
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conviction. On the other hand, the Investigating officer have not taken any steps as to the secure the presence of the persons who rescued the victim. If they are secured there is a possibility of they witnessing the Accused. Their non examination is fatal to prosecution case because it is the victim who categorically deposed that she was dropped at the Parlour by two uncles by asking her address.
Therefore, their non examination is fatal.
22.Though the prosecution has examined the CCTV Footage collector. His evidence is also formal speaking about the collection of footage which was not in his custody but was collected from a Sweet Shop. The owner of said Sweet shop is not examined. Though PW8 issued the Sec 65-B IEA certificate, since the footage storage device was not with in his custody, he is not the proper authority to issue the certificate.
23.Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Arjun Panditrao Khotkar Vs Kailash
Kushanrao Gorantyal and others held that “We may reiterate, therefore, that the certificate required under Section 65B(4) is a condition precedent to the admissibility of evidence by way of electronic record, as correctly held in Anvar P.V (supra), and incorrectly “clarified” in Shafi Mohammad (supra). Oral evidence in the place of such certificate cannot possibly suffice as Section 65B(4) is a mandatory requirement of the law. Indeed, the hallowed principle in Taylor v. Taylor (1876) 1 Ch.D 426, which has been followed in a number of the judgments of this Court, can also be applied. Section 65B(4) of the Evidence Act clearly states that secondary evidence is admissible only if lead in the manner stated and not otherwise. To hold otherwise would render Section 65B(4) otiose.”
24.The above decision of Hon’ble supreme court clarifies that oral evidence cannot be accepted for proving the electronic evidence. Further the person who is
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not the incharge or custodian of electronic record cannot be examined to prove the electronic record. For the mere reason of extracting the content from the
DVR, the person cannot be said to be proper for proving the electronic record.
Therefore, the evidence of PW8 and his Ex P8 is of no help to prosecution case.
25.Since Accused is also charged for the offence u/s 354-A of IPC, it is necessary to read the provision:
354A of IPC- Sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment--(1) A
man committing any of the following acts-
(i) physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures; or
(ii) a demand or request for sexual favours; or
(iii) showing pornography against the will of a woman; or
(iv) making sexually coloured remarks, shall be guilty of the offence of sexual harassment. (2) Any man who commits the offence specified in clause (i) or clause (ii) or clause (iii) of sub-section (1) shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. (3) Any man who commits the offence specified in clause (iv) of sub-section (1) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.]
26.The case of the prosecution as to the abduction of the child is not supported by any evidence. The provision speaks about the physical contact or request for sexual favour. Though the version of PW3 speaks about removal of the clothes, which would fall under sub-clause (ii); except the evidence of victim there is no other evidence. No doubt, the evidence needs to be accepted subject to inspiring confidence.
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27.In addition, though he was also charged for offence u/s 354-A of IPC, when the prosecution failed to prove the allegation of abduction, the charge u/s 354-A have no legs to stand. The simple reason is the charge is based on the version of a child of 6 Years. She deposed that Accused removed his pants and asked the child to remove the clothes. However, her version as to identification after a lapse of two years is not believable. Further her version appear to be tutored one. For the reason of her tutored version and non conducting the identification parade, her identification and version does not inspire confidence. A child of aged 6 Years identifying a person after a lapse of Two or Three Years is completely not believable. Therefore, the version of PW4 is not sufficient enough to accept the prosecution case. As no other corroborative evidence is available to her evidence, it can be said that the charge u/s 354-A of IPC cannot be accepted.
Sec 11 of POCSO Act speaks about the Sexual harassment ::-
A person is said to commit sexual harassment upon a child when such person with sexual intent,--
(i) utters any word or makes any sound, or makes any gesture or exhibits any object or part of body with the intention that such word or sound shall be heard, or such gesture or object or part of body shall be seen by the child; or
(ii) makes a child exhibit his body or any part of his body so as it is seen by such person or any other person; or
(iii) shows any object to a child in any form or media for pornographic purposes; or
(iv) repeatedly or constantly follows or watches or contacts a child either directly or through electronic, digital or any other means; or
(v) threatens to use, in any form of media, a real or fabricated depiction through electronic, film or digital or any other mode, of any part of the body of the child or the involvement of the child in a sexual act; or
(vi) entices a child for pornographic purposes or gives gratification therefor. Explanation.--Any question which involves '[sexual intent" shall be a question of fact.]
28.As can be seen from the record and after going through the above provisions it can be understood that, making a child to exhibit any part of body can constitute an offence. However, prosecution failed to prove that it was the
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Accused who made the victim girl to exhibit her body. Though PW3 as a victim identified the Accused before the court, it is not safe to rely on such identification without the support of any TIP proceedings. A child of 6 Years identifying a person after a period of two Years is not believable. In view of nature of offence and the interest of the prosecution, they tutoring the child cannot be ruled out.
Except the evidence of PW3, there is no other evidence available on record to believe the prosecution case. Though prosecution examined PW1 to 5 and 8, their version is formal and mostly a procedural formality or hearsay. It is not safe to rely on such hearsay evidence for securing conviction. On the other hand investigating agency never choose to take steps for conducting TIP proceedings which is fatal in given circumstances. PW1 filed a report against the Accused with the allegation of accused subjecting victim to sexual assault and sexual harassment and disrobing her. The Police Report categorically speaks about the accused person abducting the victim. However there is no sufficient evidence in respect of abduction.
Though PW3 deposed about the same, in view of her age it is not safe to accept her evidence without corroboration.
29.After excluding the evidence of PW1 to 8, there remains the testimony of
Investigating officer. Since the evidence of PW9 and 10 speaks about the procedure of investigation, it may not help the prosecution in the absence of any substantive corroborative evidence. As already held supra, except the testimony of PW3, there is no other evidence available on record to believe the prosecution case. Therefore, and in view of above discussion, this court is of the opinion that the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of accused beyond doubt. Accordingly, the point is answered in the negative.
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30. IN THE RESULT, Accused is found not guilty for the offence punishable under section 354-A, 366-A of IPC and section 11 and 18 of POCSO Act.
Accordingly, he is acquitted U/s 235(1) of CRPC. The unmarked case property is ordered to be returned to Accused after expiry of Appeal time subject to section 437A of CrPC.
Dictated to the Stenographer, transcribed by him and after corrections, pronounced
by me in open court on this the 29 th day of February, 2024.
FAST TRACK SPECIAL COURT FOR EXPEDITIOUS
TRIAL AND DISPOSAL OF RAPE AND POCSO ACT CASES
MEDCHAL MALKAJGIRI DISTRICT AT MEDCHAL
APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE
WITNESSES EXAMINED
FOR PROSECUTION:
PW1 : Mother of the victim
PW2: Father of the victim
PW3:Victim Girl PW4:Paluguna Rao
PW5: G.Shyam Kumar
PW6: E.Roopa
PW7 : P.Jaya Lakshmi
PW8: Vasa Ganapathi
PW9: S.Ramesh, Inspector of police
PW10:K.Gowtham, Inspector of police.
FOR DEFENCE
-NONE-
EXHIBITS MARKED
FOR PROSECUTION: FOR DEFENCE
Ex.P1:Complaint -NIL- Ex.P2: Identified Signature of PW4 on panchanama Ex.P3:Signature of Pw5 on Confession cum seizure panchanama Ex.P4: Letter Ex.P5: :65-B IEA Certificate
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Ex.P6:Call date record
Ex.P7:Customer application form
Ex.P8:Certificate given by PW8
Ex.P9:First Information report
MATERIAL OBJECTS MARKED
FOR PROSECUTION: FOR DEFENCE
-NIL--NIL-
FAST TRACK SPECIAL COURT FOR EXPEDITIOUS
TRIAL AND DISPOSAL OF RAPE AND POCSO ACT CASES
MEDCHAL MALKAJGIRI DISTRICT AT MEDCHAL