State NCT of Delhi v. Inder Pal

Delhi High Court · 02 Dec 2025 · 2025:DHC:10863-DB
Vivek Chaudhary; Manoj Jain
CRL.L.P. 216/2021
2025:DHC:10863-DB
criminal appeal_allowed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court granted leave to appeal against the acquittal of the respondent in a kidnapping and rape case, holding that minor contradictions in the prosecutrix's testimony did not justify acquittal at the leave stage.

Full Text
Translation output
CRL.L.P. 216/2021 1
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 02nd December,2025
CRL.L.P. 216/2021
STATE NCT OF DELHI .....Petitioner
Through: Mr. Yudhvir Singh Chauhan, APP for State
WITH
SI Ravi Yadav, P.S.
Govindpuri.
VERSUS
INDER PAL .....Respondent
Through: None.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIVEK CHAUDHARY
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ JAIN
JUDGMENT

1. None is present on behalf of the respondent, despite the fact that the matter was passed over.

2. Mr. Harsh Prabhakar, DHCLSC Counsel, who is present before us in one other matter, has been requested to assist the Court on behalf of the respondent.

3. The present petition has been filed under Section 378(1) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as Cr.P.C.) by the State seeking grant of leave to appeal against judgment dated 09.01.2020 passed in Sessions Case No. 1933/2016 whereby respondent has been acquitted of charges under Sections 363, 366 and 376 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as IPC).

4. The only aspect which, presently, is to be considered is whether the prosecution has been able to make out a good case for grant of leave to appeal CRL.L.P. 216/2021 2 or not. Admittedly, at this initial juncture, the Court is not required to meticulously revaluate the entire evidence.

5. The prosecutrix has, apparently, supported the case of prosecution but, benefit of doubt has been given to the respondent merely on the basis of some contradictions.

6. According to Mr. Chauhan, learned APP, these contradictions are trivial in nature and in view of the convincing deposition of prosecutrix, these minor contradictions should not have been given any weightage.

7. We have gone through the material on record and testimony of prosecutrix and other witnesses and keeping in mind the overall facts we are of the view that good grounds exist for grant of leave to appeal.

8. Resultantly, we grant leave to appeal and direct that the present petition be registered as Criminal Appeal.

9. The appeal be, however, listed in due course

10. In the interregnum, both the respondents are directed to appear before learned Joint Registrar (Judicial) on 18.12.2025 for submitting personal bond and surety bond in a sum of Rs. 25,000/- each.

11. Let copy of this order be sent to respondent and his counsel.

(VIVEK CHAUDHARY) JUDGE (MANOJ JAIN)

JUDGE DECEMBER 2, 2025/ss/pb