Supreme Court acquits man after six years in jail for rape

This case involves a criminal appeal by Paramjit Singh Bedi against his conviction for rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, where the Supreme Court examined whether the lower courts erred in convicting him based on the prosecutrix's statement and evidence.

Who it concerns: Appellant: Paramjit Singh Bedi; Respondent: State of Punjab; Bench: Justice Ujjal Bhuyan.

What the court decided

• The Supreme Court acquitted the appellant of the charge under Section 376 IPC.
• The Court set aside the conviction and sentence imposed by the Sessions Judge and affirmed by the High Court.
• The Court held that there cannot be part acceptance and part rejection of the prosecutrix's statement when the charges are intricately connected.

Also in the document

• The appellant had already undergone incarceration for almost 6 years out of the total 10-year sentence prior to the Supreme Court's decision.
• The trial court had previously acquitted the appellant of the charge under Section 366 IPC (kidnapping/abduction), a finding that was not challenged by the State.
• The Court noted that the medical evidence did not disclose signs of injury on the prosecutrix.