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Supreme Court of India 2020-12-03 dismissed

Chaman Lal vs State of Himachal Pradesh

Bench: 3 — <UNKNOWN>

In Brief

This appeal challenged the High Court's conviction of an accused for sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, holding that a person with mental unsoundness who cannot comprehend the nature and consequences of sexual intercourse cannot give valid consent. Medical evidence showed the victim had very low IQ and mental illness; she gave birth to a child, and the accused was the biological father. The Court rejected the acquittal, emphasizing that vulnerable persons with mental disabilities deserve protection from exploitation and should not be victimized.

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Criminal Law Sexual Assault Rape Mental Illness Capacity to Consent Appeal Against Acquittal

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