PETER FERNANDES Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE appellant was tried for rape on a minor girl aged 15 years and criminal intimidation under Ss. 376 and 506 (I) IPC. He was sentenced to suffer 7 years Rigorous Imprisonment and fine of Rs. 5,000/-, in default R. I. for six months under S. 376, IPC and Rigorous Imprisonment for one year and fine of Rs. 500/- in default R. I. for one month under S. 506 (I) IPC. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. A sum of Rs. 4,000/- was awarded as compensation to be paid to the prosecutrix in case of realisation of the fine. The appellant challenges the said conviction and sentences in this appeal.

(2.) WE have heard Advocate Shri Menino Teles for the appellant and P. P. Shri G. U. Bhobe for the State.

(3.) THE contentions advanced by Advocate Shri Teles are :- that there has been inordinate delay in filing the FIR; that except for the version of the prosecutrix, there is nothing to connect the accused with the crime and that even the belated version of the prosecutrix was totally discredited in the course of her cross-examination. He, therefore, contends that the conviction is ill-founded and is liable to be set aside.