MANOJ HANMANT BHINTADE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant herein takes an exception to the judgment passed by the Sessions Judge, Satara in Sessions Case No. 99 of 1998 vide judgment and order dated 14 th November 2000, thereby convicting the appellant for the offences punishable under sections 376 and 417 of Indian Penal Code and sentencing him to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for 10 years and to pay fine of Rs.1,00,000/- on both counts and in default, to undergo further Rigorous Imprisonment for two years.

(2.) Such of the facts necessary for the decision of this appeal are as follows:-

(3.) On 15th January 1998, the parents of Ms. X, along with her, had approached Medha Police Station and lodged a report against the accused-appellant, on the basis of which Crime No. 2 of 1998 was registered against the appellant for the offence punishable under section 376 of Indian Penal Code. The case was committed to the Court of Sessions and registered as Sessions Case No. 99 of 1998. The prosecution examined as many as 8 witnesses to bring home the guilt of the accused-appellant. The case mainly rests upon the evidence of PW.1 victim Ms.X, PW.2, Subhadra mother of Ms.X, PW.3 - Smt. Kusum Ranjane who was residing at Panchgani. PW.4 - Arun Gujar, a Panch to the seizure of a chit written by the accused to the victim, PW.7 Mr. Suresh Babar - the Gram Sevak of Panas and PW.8 Dr. Balasaheb Jadhav, Medical Officer who had examined Ms.X on 16th January 1998.