STATE OF A.P. Vs. SAJJA RAMAKANTH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a Criminal Appeal filed on behalf of the State, represented by the Public Prosecutor, High Court of Andhra Pradesh, under Sec. 378(1) & (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure ("Cr.P.C." for short), challenging the judgment in Sessions Case No.211 of 2006, on the file of the Assistant Sessions Judge, Narsapuram, dtd. 27/12/2007, with a prayer to set aside the order of acquittal and to convict the Respondents/Accused for the offences, with which they were charged.

(2.) The parties to this appeal will hereinafter be referred as described before the learned Assistant Sessions Judge, Narsapuram, for the sake of convenience.

(3.) The State, represented by the Inspector of Police, Palakol Circle, filed a charge sheet in Crime No.47 of 2005 of Achanta Police Station, under Ss. 343, 366A, 376 r/w 109 of the Indian Penal Code ("IPC" for short), alleging in substance that the victim is permanent resident of Padamatipalem and she is aged about 14 years. So, she is a minor. L.W.2-Chilukuri Venkata Narayana is the father of the victim and L.W.3-Chilukuri Varalakshmi is the wife of L.W.2. The study record reveals that the date of birth of the victim is 1/7/1991. A.1 to A.4 are the residents of Padamatipalem. A.1 is the son of A.3. A.2 and A.4 are supporters of family of A.1 and A.3. As the victim belonged to a rich family, A.1 wanted to marry her. A.2 to A.4 supported the proposal of A.1. Prior to the offence, A.1 used to follow the victim and used to tell her that he would marry her, for which she could not make out her mind. A.1 used to demand the victim to love him. A.2 used to call victim to his house and compel her to accept the marriage proposal. A.3 and A.4 supported the conduct of A.1.