Criminal appeal filed by convicted appellants seeking reduction of sentence based on time served during custody. The High Court rejected the plea for sentence commutation, refusing leniency due to the young age of the victim (minor) and acknowledging the enormous trauma caused by the offences.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
CRA-S-601-SB-2013 (O&M)
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In the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh
Crl. Appeal No. S-601-SB-2013 (O&M) Date of Decision: 07.12.2016
Irfan @ Aminudin @ Chhote @ Jabruddin and another ......Appellants
Versus
State of Haryana
.....Respondent
CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE ANITA CHAUDHRY
Present: Mr. H.S.Randhawa, Advocate Amicus Curiae for the appellants.
Mr. Devindedr Pal Singh, Advocate for Mr. Anoop Sheoran, Advocate for appellant No. 2.
Mr. Apoorv Garg, DAG, Haryana.
ANITA CHAUDHRY, J (ORAL)
The appellants are aggrieved of the judgment and order of
conviction and sentence vide which they had been sentenced to the following imprisonment:-
Under Section 328 IPC Rigorous imprisonment for a period of five years and to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/each. In default of payment of fine or a part thereof they were to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 15 days.
Gurpreet Singh Bhatia 2016.12.14 12:04 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court Chandigarh
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CRA-S-601-SB-2013 (O&M)
Under Section 363 IPC Rigorous imprisonment for a period of five years and to pay a fine of Rs. 2000/each. In default of payment of fine or a part thereof they were to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one month. Under Section 366-A IPC Rigorous imprisonment for a period of five years and to pay a fine of Rs. 2000/each. In default of payment of fine or a part thereof they were to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one month. Under Section 376(2)(g) Rigorous imprisonment for a period of IPC ten years and to pay a fine of Rs. 5000/each. In default of payment of fine or a part thereof they were to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two months. Under Section 3 (1)(XI) Rigorous imprisonment for a period of of SC/ST Act one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/each. In default of payment of fine or a part thereof they were to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 15
days.
Appellant Irfan was also sentenced to rigorous imprisonment
for a period of seven years and to pay a fine of Rs. 5000/- under Section 376 IPC. In default of payment of fine or a part thereof he was to further
Gurpreet Singh Bhatia 2016.12.14 12:04 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court Chandigarh
CRA-S-601-SB-2013 (O&M)
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undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two months.
The facts which are necessary to be delineated are that minor daughter of Maina Devi was missing from the house since 13.4.2010. She had gone to see her friend at 12.30 P.M. but failed to return. The mother suspected that Irfan and his younger brother Annu @ Alauddin who were living in a rented house in front of their house had enticed her minor daughter. They were also missing from their house. She had also disclosed in her complaint that Irfan had earlier made advances towards her daughter when she was alone at home and she had rebuked them and had asked them not to visit her house.
The police registered the case under Section 328, 363, 366-A, 376, 376(2)(g) IPC and 3(1)(xii) of SC/ST Act.
The girl was recovered on 21.4.2010. Her statement under Section 164 Cr.P.C. was recorded. She named both the accused. Her medical was conducted. After completion of investigation challan was presented.
The prosecutrix supported the prosecution case at the trial. She stood by her statement made before the Magistrate. The medical officer found the hymen torn. The Clerk in the office of SDM, Gurgaon produced scheduled caste certificate to show that the prosecutrix belonged to a schedule caste and considering the evidence, the trial Court convicted both the appellants to the sentence mentioned hereinbefore.
Custody certificate dated 19.7.2016 has been placed on record which shows the actual custody of 06 years, 02 months and 28 days as on 19.7.2016. The total sentence with remission is 08 years, 08 months and 18 days as on 19.7.2016.
Gurpreet Singh Bhatia 2016.12.14 12:04 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court Chandigarh
CRA-S-601-SB-2013 (O&M)
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Counsel for the appellants restricted their prayer only to the quantum of sentence. It was urged that both the appellants had completed more than nine years and one month of custody and would have earned more remissions and therefore the sentence be reduced to the period already undergone. The submission was also made that it was a case of elopement and Annu was not involved and his sentence be reduced if the Court was not inclined to accept the prayer with respect to Irfan.
State counsel submits that it is a case of gang rape and the girl had named both of them and both of them were missing from the house and the girl had been recovered after eight days and the girl was a minor and no leniency should be shown.
There is no challenge to the findings of conviction. The conviction has not been assailed on merits. Even otherwise the prosecution had been able to successfully prove the charges. The medical evidence also supports the prosecution version. I find no infirmity in the findings recorded by the Court below.
So far as the quantum of sentence is concerned, no doubt that total sentence including remission is over 09 years and 01 month but I am not inclined to reduce the sentence. The girl had not even completed the age of 13 years. The offence has been committed with a minor. The trauma undergone by the victim is enormous. It is often said that the rapist not only violates the victim's privacy but causes psychological as well as emotional trauma to the victim. A rapist degrades and destroys the very soul of the victim. The Court will be failing in its duty if appropriate punishment is not awarded. No leniency can be shown.
Gurpreet Singh Bhatia 2016.12.14 12:04 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court Chandigarh
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CRA-S-601-SB-2013 (O&M)
The appeal is dismissed.
(ANITA CHAUDHRY) JUDGE December 07, 2016 Gurpreet Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes Whether reportable : Yes
Gurpreet Singh Bhatia 2016.12.14 12:04 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document High Court Chandigarh
1 issue framed by the court
Whether the quantum of sentence for rape and child sexual offences committed against a minor should be commuted to the period actually undergone?
6 provisions across 2 enactments
Irfan @ Aminudin @ Chhote @ Jabruddin and another
State of Haryana
Anita Chaudhry
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
