Legal

Allahabad High Court Acquits Three In Mahoba Gang Rape; Upholds Conviction Of One Accused

The Allahabad High Court acquitted three accused in the 2015 Mahoba gang rape case, citing the benefit of doubt.

Justice JJ Munir upheld Irfan alias Golu’s conviction, stating that medical injuries aren’t essential to prove sexual assault.

The court noted victims may not resist due to fear or intoxication, making physical injuries unnecessary for rape confirmation.

The case began after a 15-year-old girl lodged an FIR at Charkhari police station, Mahoba, on January 13, 2015. She alleged four men forced her to drink alcohol and repeatedly raped her overnight, causing severe psychological and physical trauma.

Initially, she named only two accused in her FIR, identifying the other two several months later during the investigation.

In March 2017, the Sessions Judge sentenced all four accused to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined them Rs 20,000.

The defence argued that delayed identification weakened the case, claiming the possibility of false implication could not be excluded.

The High Court found the survivor’s testimony consistent, firm, and credible, dismissing claims of fabricated allegations against the accused.

However, the court held that only Irfan alias Golu was conclusively identified, leading to the acquittal of the remaining three co-accused.

It relied on Supreme Court precedent in Raju alias Umakant v State of Madhya Pradesh regarding the absence of physical injuries. The court reiterated that the lack of injuries does not disprove rape if the survivor’s testimony is reliable and trustworthy.

Thus, the High Court allowed the appeals of Ritesh, Manvendra, and Irfan (son of Shahzade), ordering their immediate release.

Meanwhile, Irfan alias Golu’s conviction remained upheld, based on strong evidence and the survivor’s unwavering identification in court.

Also Read: Delhi High Court Pulls Up Rajasthan Police Over Arrests In Capital Without Intimation

Vishal Talwar

Recent Posts

Railway Fact Check Denies Lalu’s Charge Of Fewer Trains For Bihar During Chhath Festival

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav accused the Central government of misleading the public by promising…

1 hour ago

Virat Kohli Becomes Second-Highest Run-Getter In ODIs

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in One-Day…

2 hours ago

Amit Shah Accuses Lalu Regime Of Lawlessness & Industrial Decline At Bihar Rally

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav…

3 hours ago

Veteran Actor Satish Shah Passes Away At 74 In Mumbai

Veteran actor Satish Shah, known for his roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Sarabhai vs…

3 hours ago

CJI Gavai Meets Bhutan King And PM To Strengthen Judicial Cooperation

CJI BR Gavai met Bhutan’s King and PM to strengthen judicial cooperation and announced clerkship…

4 hours ago

ED Files Chargesheet Against Seven In Rs 88-Lakh International Drug And Money Laundering Case

The ED has filed a chargesheet against seven individuals in a major case of international…

4 hours ago