Bilaspur – The High Court of Chhattisgarh has dismissed a criminal appeal and upheld the life sentence awarded to a man convicted for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor girl.
The High Court, while hearing the appeal against a 2022 trial court judgment, held that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The Court found that the accused had lured two minor girls away from their village and committed sexual assault on the elder child.
Rejecting the defence argument, the Court ruled that school records clearly established the age of the victim, making the offence punishable under the POCSO Act. It also held that oral penetration falls within the legal definition of rape.
The High Court observed that the testimony of a child victim, if consistent and trustworthy, is sufficient for conviction and does not require independent corroboration. Medical and forensic evidence further supported the prosecution case.
Finding no error in the trial court’s reasoning, the High Court dismissed the appeal and directed the convict to continue serving the life sentence imposed earlier.