Krishna @ Krishnappa vs State Of Karnataka

2. Crime No.48 of 1991 was registered with Devanahalli Police Station pursuant to FIR (Ext.P-9) lodged by PW-1 victim alleging that on 06.03.1991 at about 4.00 PM while she was returning from the bus stop of their village after having sent her husband and son to sell silk cocoons at Vijayapura, the present appellant wrongfully restrained her near eucalyptus grove, gagged her mouth and despite her protest had forcible sexual intercourse with her. It was alleged that her screams attracted Muniyappa (PW-2) and Venkateshappa (PW-3) and on seeing them the appellant had run away from the spot. Upon registration of such crime PW-1 victim was sent for medical examination by Dr. Manjunath (PW-4) who however, found no signs of any sexual intercourse but found two abrasions on the forearms of PW-1 victim. The appellant was arrested and also medically examined.

3. After due investigation the charge-sheet was filed and the appellant was tried for having committed the offences punishable under Sections 376 and 341 IPC vide Sessions Case No.62 of 1994. PW-1 victim in her testimony admitted her age to be 60 years. She reiterated that she was subjected to forcible intercourse by the appellant. Muniyappa (PW-2) supported her version, but Venkateshappa (PW-3) turned hostile. It was suggested to these witnesses in their cross-examination that the appellant was related to PW-1 victim, that there were civil and criminal cases pending between the parties in support of which contention certified copies of the civil suit and criminal cases Ext. D-1 and D-2 were also filed. Dr. Manjunath (PW-4) who had medically examined PW-1 victim specifically stated that nothing was found to show that the victim was subjected to sexual intercourse. Dr. S.B. Patil (PW-5) who had examined the appellant stated the age of the appellant to be 17-18 years.

5. State of Karnataka carried the matter further by filing Criminal Appeal No.1360 of 2001 in the High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore. The High Court observed that in view of the evidence of Dr. Manjunath (PW-4) it was clear that the prosecution had failed to prove that the appellant had sexual intercourse with PW-1 victim. The High Court thus affirmed the acquittal of the appellant under Section 376 IPC. However after considering the evidence of PWs-1 and 2 it found that it was proved beyond doubt that the appellant had attempted to commit rape on the victim. The High Court thus convicted the appellant for the offence of attempt to commit rape under Section 376 read with Section 511 IPC and also under Section 341 IPC and sentenced him suffer rigorous imprisonment for two years and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/-, in default whereof to undergo further imprisonment for one year under the first count and to suffer simple imprisonment for one month and payment of fine of Rs.3,000/-, in default whereof to suffer further imprisonment for 15 days for the offence punishable under Section 341 IPC.

6. The appellant being aggrieved preferred special leave to appeal and this Court after grant of special leave to appeal also directed vide order dated 13.04.2009 that the appellant be released on bail pending this appeal.

8. We have gone through the judgment of the trial court and the High Court and carefully perused the evidence on record. It may be mentioned that as found by both the courts below the offence under Section 376 was not established at all. The reasons given by the trial court while acquitting the appellant, in our view, are quite sound and in any case, such view is definitely a possible view. The conclusions reached by the trial court cannot be said to be palpably wrong or based on erroneous view of the law, so as to call for interference by the High Court. In our considered view the High Court was not justified in converting the case to that of attempt to commit rape and recording order of conviction. We, therefore, set aside the judgment and order of conviction passed by the High Court and restore that of the trial court acquitting the accused-appellant of the offences with which he was charged. The appeal is allowed and the appellant is discharged of his bail bonds.