Home / Crime and Justice / Delhi HC Reverses 16-Year-Old Acquittal Citing Trial Court Errors
Delhi HC Reverses 16-Year-Old Acquittal Citing Trial Court Errors
4 Sep
Summary
- Court cited trial court's reliance on child's exact language.
- Medical evidence corroborated victim's account of assault.
- Acquittal reversed after 16 years due to procedural flaws.
The Delhi High Court has overturned a 16-year-old rape acquittal, identifying multiple flaws in the trial court's original order. The High Court noted that the trial court placed undue emphasis on the exact language a four-year-old victim used to describe the offense, which is unreasonable for a child of such tender age.
The appellate court highlighted that the trial court wrongly considered the lack of the word "penetration" in the child's testimony as grounds for acquittal. Instead, the High Court stressed that a child witness's testimony should be assessed for its substance and natural narration of a traumatic event, corroborated by surrounding circumstances.
Further, the High Court pointed out that the trial court failed to adequately consider crucial medical and forensic evidence. This evidence, including injuries to the victim's genital parts, unequivocally supported the prosecution's case and contradicted the trial court's findings. The appellate court found the victim's prompt disclosure to her mother and consistent statements credible, leading to the reversal of the acquittal.
