STATE OF H.P. Vs. RAJ PAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD and gone through the record.

(2.) RESPONDENT -accused was sent up for trial for an offence punishable under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly assaulting a lady with intent to outrage her modesty. The incident was alleged to have taken place on 14.4.1995 around 6 p.m. Matter was reported to the police on the next following day around 4.30 p.m. As per the report lodged with the police, i.e. FIR Ext.PW6/A, the respondent assaulted the prosecutrix when she was returning from the fields with a bundle of hay. The respondent allegedly pushed her from behind and threw her on the ground and then tried to loosen the string of her salwar. The prosecutrix raised alarm, hearing which Baldev Singh (PW3) and Dhani Ram (PW4) were attracted to the scene. On seeing these two persons, the respondent fled away.

(3.) I have heard learned Additional Advocate General as also the learned counsel for the respondent.