In Brief
The appellant was convicted of rape under Section 376 IPC for abducting and sexually assaulting a girl aged 15-16 years in 1989. The High Court upheld the conviction and 7-year sentence. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction, confirming that a minor cannot legally consent to sexual intercourse regardless of her apparent willingness. However, the Court invoked the proviso to Section 376(1) IPC to reduce the sentence to time already served (approximately 1 year 7 months), citing adequate and special reasons: the 30-year passage of time, absence of criminal antecedents, and settlement of both parties in life with their respective families.
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