In Brief
A nine-year-old girl was allegedly raped multiple times by her uncle during winter vacations at her grandparents' home in Aruwan. The trial court convicted him under IPC Sections 376(2)(f) (rape of a child) and 506 (criminal intimidation). The High Court acquitted him, citing delay in reporting (3 years), the presence of family members in the joint household, and lack of corroboration. The Supreme Court restored the conviction, holding that a child victim's testimony is vital and ordinarily requires no corroboration; delay is explicable by trauma and fear of incestuous abuse stigma; and the trial court's credibility assessment deserves deference. The Court sentenced the respondent to 12 years rigorous imprisonment and ₹50,000 fine, emphasizing heightened judicial responsibility in child protection cases.">
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