(1.) The present criminal appeal has come-up for consideration after leave to appeal, under Section 378(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure has been granted, in reference to the impugned judgment dated 17.2.2000, passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge-II, Kangra at Dharamshala (H.P.), in Sessions Trial No. 16-N/97, whereby respondent-accused has been acquitted for the offences, under Sections 451/363/376/323 of the Indian Penal Code. Whether the reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgment?
(2.) The prosecution case is that respondent-accused Sat Pal, a major, on the night intervening 11th/12th, October, 1996, alleged to have kidnapped victim/prosecutrix, PW-5 (name not given), a minor girl, about six years, from the house of her father Shri Mohinder Paul at village Kursan, Tehsil Indora, District Kangra and she was subjected to sexual assault in an orange orchard and causing simple injuries on her person. On investigation, respondent-accused was charged for the offences, above mentioned and the case was committed to the Sessions Court.
(3.) In order to prove its case, the prosecution examined as many as eighteen prosecution witnesses, whereas, the respondent-accused through his statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C. denied the prosecution case and examined one witness in defence.