Mukesh v. State of Chhattisgarh
Background
A woman reported that the accused attacked and raped her after she stepped outside her home at night. She immediately told family members, and witnesses and medical evidence supported the injury to her forehead. The accused challenged his conviction by pointing to reporting delay, date discrepancies and the absence of genital injuries.
Decision Breakdown
The Court dismissed the appeal and upheld the rape conviction and sentence of seven years' rigorous imprisonment with the fine and default sentence. It accepted the woman's account, supported by her immediate disclosure, witnesses, forehead injury and other surrounding evidence. Failure to shout for help was not proof of consent because people react differently under threat. An inconclusive medical opinion and absence of genital injuries did not displace credible evidence of rape. The reporting delay was satisfactorily explained, and the date discrepancy did not create reasonable doubt when the evidence was considered together.
Lesson Learnt
A rape complaint must be assessed in its full circumstances. Explained reporting delay, absence of particular injuries or an unexpected reaction to an attack do not by themselves defeat a credible account.