The High Court went through the evidence tendered by the minor survivor, her mother, and all the other witnesses, investigating officers and medical experts.
It noted that the testimony of the survivor which was primarily relied on by the prosecution to establish its case.
The Court said that there was no reason to disbelieve the evidence given by her.
“The evidence tendered by the victim establishes beyond reasonable doubt that it was the first accused who committed rape and sexual assaults on the victim and also harassed her sexually,” the bench said in its judgment.
The bench also rejected the contention of the appellant priest that the physical relationship between him and the minor was consensual.
“Inasmuch as it is established that the victim was a child below the age of 16 years during 2014 and 2015, it is immaterial whether their physical relationship was consensual,” the Court said.
Source: Barandbench
