REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 2060 OF 2008

[arising out of SLP (Criminal) No. 5644 of 2005]

STATE OF M.P. … APPELLANT

VERSUS

BABLU NATT … RESPONDENT

J U D G M E N T

S.B. SINHA, J.

1.Leave granted.

2.On 26.03.2000, Respondent bought paddy husk for a sum of Rs.

500/- from the father of the prosecutrix whereafter they were said to have

become acquainted with each other. Respondent and his friend Mohan

Bangali, who came with him, at their request were allowed to sleep in the

Khalihan. However, in the middle of the night, he took the prosecutrix

away with him. On the next day, i.e., on 27.03.2000, a First Information

Report (FIR) was lodged by Shaktideen, father of the prosecutrix. The

prosecutrix was a minor but a married woman. She was recovered on

27.7.2000. Respondent was arrested on 28.7.2000. Charges for

commission of offences punishable under Sections 366 and 376 of the

Indian Penal Code (‘IPC’ for short) were framed.

3.Respondent in his defence raised a plea that prosecutrix was a

consenting party. He also raised a plea that she was major. In support of

the said contention, he produced an affidavit purported to have been

affirmed by her stating where her age to be 18.

Further contention of the respondent was that he had arranged the

second marriage of Shaktideen, the father of the prosecutrix, subject to

the condition that Lilawati (prosecutrix) would be married with him and

that is why both the families were on visiting terms and Lilawati eloped

with respondent voluntarily and had undergone a court marriage.

4.The learned Sessions Judge found that he had committed sexual

intercourse with the prosecutrix without her consent and against her will.

But even if it is accepted that she was a consenting party, as she was not

more than 13 years of age, such purported consent was of no moment.

Accused was found to have committed sexual intercourse with the

prosecutrix on more than one occasion against her will and without her

consent between 26

th

and 27

th

March, 2000 till the date of her recovery,

i.e, 27.7.2000, and, thus, is guilty of commission of offences punishable

under Sections 366 and 376 of IPC.

2

The learned Sessions Judge, upon considering the materials on

record, found that respondent had taken away the prosecutrix from the

lawful custody of her lawful guardian Shaktideen - her father - without

his consent, with the intention that she be forced to illicit sexual

intercourse. It was further held that the appellant had knowledge that the

prosecutrix was married but even then he took her away with himself and

committed sexual intercourse with the prosecutrix against her will and

without her consent.

Upon hearing respondent on the question of sentence, it was held:

“22.It was argued on behalf of accused that

this is his first offence therefore he should

be pardoned. Argument and request was

heard and considered. As has been found

above that being well aware of the fact

that prosecutrix is married and a minor,

even then he took away prosecutrix from

the lawful keeping of guardianship of her

father without the consent of the father

for committing illicit sexual intercourse

with her and committed sexual

intercourse with prosecutrix against her

will and without her consent. In such a

circumstance, the above-proved act of the

accused does not deserve any pardon.

But as the accused is a young man of 20

years therefore, accused Bablu Natt is

sentenced to undergo 7-7 years of

rigorous imprisonment (for each offence)

and with a fine of Rs.500/-, 500/- (five

hundred) (for each offence) for

committing offences punishable under

Section 366/376 of IPC. In case of

default of payment of fine, accused had to

further undergo 2-2 years of rigorous

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imprisonment for default of payment of

each amount of fine.”

5.An appeal was preferred thereagainst. The High Court, by reason

of the impugned judgment, while upholding the judgment of conviction

interfered with the quantum of sentence, stating:

“11.Yet there is another facet of the case.

True, the prosecutrix was minor and did not

attain the age of majority. But it is equally true

that she is sensible girl having age of 15 years,

she did not complain to anybody and she lived

for several days with appellant at Chhatarpur.

She also traveled at several places in bus she did

not complain to anybody. Not only this, she

also sworn an affidavit at District Court,

Chhatarpur mentioning her age to be 18 years

and stated that she is living with appellant as his

wife. The prosecutrix admitted in her testimony

that she executed affidavit Ex. D/1. In this view

of the matter, looking to the totality of the facts

and surrounding circumstances, this is a fit case

for interfering in the quantum of punishment.

For the reasons assigned hereinabove, the view

of this Court is that for the ends of justice it

would be justifiable to enlarge the appellant for

the period he has already undergone. From

verifying the record, learned counsel for the

respondent has submitted that appellant has

undergone a jail sentence of four years and two

months, according to me, this would be

sufficient punishment for him.”

6.The State is, thus, before us.

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7.Mr. Vibha Datta Makhija, learned counsel appearing on behalf of

appellant submitted that rigorous imprisonment for seven years having

been prescribed by the Parliament, the reasons assigned for sentencing

the respondent for the period undergone should not be upheld.

8.Mr. Anish Kumar Gupta, learned counsel appearing on behalf of

respondent, however, supported the judgment of the High Court

contending that the reasons assigned by the High Court are not only

sufficient but also cogent for the purpose of invoking the proviso

appended to Section 376 of the IPC.

9.Indisputably, sentence in terms of Section 366 of the I.P.C. may

extend to rigorous imprisonment for a term of ten years or fine or with

both. Section 376 thereof provides for sentence for a term which shall

not be less than seven years but which may be for life or for a term which

may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine. The proviso

appended thereto, however, provides that ‘the court may, for adequate

and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence

of imprisonment for a term of less than seven years’.

10.Was it a case where the proviso to Section 376 could be invoked is

the question. The prosecutrix and the respondent were unknown to each

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other. They came to know each other only on the night of 26.3.2000. A

finding of fact had been arrived at that she was minor. The fact that she

was subjected to sexual intercourse was supported by the medical

evidence. Medical opinion was rendered that rape was committed on her

and she was not habituated to sexual intercourse. On medical

examination, her age was assessed between 11 and 13 years.

11.We may place on record a few questions put to the said witness

and answers thereof:

“Question:What happened to you?

Answer:When I asked the accused to take

me to my house then he started

talking nonsense and started telling

me.

Question:What nonsense he started talking

with you and what he started telling

you?

Answer:Accused asked me to sleep with

him and I refused, the accused

made me sleep with him by use of

force and took off my Saari and

also took off my clothes and

humiliated me and did bad act with

me. (One sentence omitted).

I could not even go to my parents

house because the accused was

keeping me in his house

XXX XXX XXX

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Everyone in my house call me Bitti.

It is wrong to say that I went with

accused Bablu on my own volition.

It is wrong to say that I married

with accused Bablu in the

Chattarupur Court by my own will.

It is wrong to say that an affidavit

was signed in this respect. It is

correct that such paperwork was

completed in the Court and accused

told me to tell my age to be 18

years therefore, I told my age to be

18 years. It is wrong to say that I

completed such paperwork. When

I was caught in the house of the

accused, I was kept there by the

accused for 6 days. I do not know

that whose house is located besides

the house of accused Bablu. When

witness was shown affidavit of

Exhibit D-4, witness says that

photograph pasted on it from A to

A belongs to her.

It is wrong to say that Bablu did

not elope me. It is wrong to say

that I came to his house on my own

will.”

12.Admittedly, an offence with which respondent was charged had

been proved to have been committed. He also got an affidavit affirmed

by the prosecutrix showing her age to be 18 years, which was found to be

false. He, therefore, knew the intricacies of law.

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13.The principle governing imposition of punishment would depend

upon the facts and circumstances of each case. An offence which affects

the morale of the society should be severely dealt with. Socio-economic

status, religion, race, caste or creed of the accused and the victim

although may not be wholly irrelevant, should be eschewed in a case of

this nature, particularly when Parliament itself had laid down minimum

sentence. In India, we do not have sentencing guidelines. Necessity of

the guidelines on the judicial side has been highlighted in State of Punjab

vs. Prem Sagar & Others.[(2008) 7 SCC 550], wherein it was noticed:

“5.Whether the Court while awarding a

sentence would take recourse to the principle of

deterrence or reform or invoke the doctrine of

proportionality, would no doubt depend upon

the facts and circumstances of each case. While

doing so, however, the nature of the offence

said to have been committed by the accused

plays an important role. The offences which

affect public health must be dealt with severely.

For the said purpose, the courts must notice the

object for enacting Article 47 of the

Constitution of India.

6.There are certain offences which touch

our social fabric. We must remind ourselves

that even while introducing the doctrine of plea

bargaining in the Code of Criminal Procedure,

certain types of offences had been kept out of

the purview thereof. While imposing sentences,

the said principles should be borne in mind.

7.A sentence is a judgment on conviction of

a crime. It is resorted to after a person is

convicted of the offence. It is the ultimate goal

of any justice-delivery system. Parliament,

however, in providing for a hearing on sentence,

8

as would appear from sub-section (2) of Section

235, sub-section (2) of Section 248, Section 325

as also Sections 360 and 361 of the Code of

Criminal Procedure, has laid down certain

principles. The said provisions lay down the

principle that the court in awarding the sentence

must take into consideration a large number of

relevant factors; sociological backdrop of the

accused being one of them.

8.Although a wide discretion has been

conferred upon the court, the same must be

exercised judiciously. It would depend upon the

circumstances in which the crime has been

committed and his mental state. Age of the

accused is also relevant.”

Upon noticing the development of law in this behalf in other

countries, it was opined:

“31.We have noticed the development of law

in this behalf in other countries only to

emphasise that the courts while imposing

sentence must take into consideration the

principles applicable thereto. It requires

application of mind. The purpose of imposition

of sentence must also be kept in mind.”

14.One of the principles that the judiciary had all along kept in its

mind that rape being a violation with violence of the private person of a

woman causes mental scar, thus, not only a physical injury but a deep

sense of some deathless shame is also inflicted. (See Mohan Anna

Chavan vs. State of Maharashtra [2008 (9) SCALE 474] and Bantu vs.

The State of U.P. [2008 (10) SCALE 336]

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Although, with utmost respect to the Hon’ble Judges, one may not

entirely agree with invocation of doctrine of proportionality in imposing

death sentence as has been highlighted in the above two cases, we may

notice that in latter doctrine of proportionality has been invoked, stating:

“24.The criminal law adheres in general to the

principle of proportionality in prescribing

liability according to the culpability of each

kind of criminal conduct. It ordinarily allows

some significant discretion to the Judge in

arriving at a sentence in each case, presumably

to permit sentences that reflect more subtle

considerations of culpability that are raised by

the special facts of each case. Judges in essence

affirm that punishment ought always to fit the

crime; yet in practice sentences are determined

largely by other considerations. Sometimes it is

the correctional needs of the perpetrator that are

offered to justify a sentence. Sometimes the

desirability of keeping him out of circulation,

and sometimes even the tragic results of his

crime. Inevitably these considerations cause a

departure from just desert as the basis of

punishment and create cases of apparent

injustice that are serious and widespread.”

15.We may also notice that in State of M.P. vs. Bala alias Balaram

[(2005) 8 SCC 1], this Court commenting upon the grossly inadequate

sentence imposed upon by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, stated:

“6. Sub-section (1) of Section 376 I.P.C.

provides that whoever, except in the cases

provided for by Sub-section (2), commits rape

shall be punished with imprisonment of either

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description for a term which shall not be less

than 7 years but which may be for life or for a

term which may extend to 10 years and shall

also be liable to fine. In the category of cases

covered under Sub-section (2) of Section 376,

the sentence cannot be less than 10 years but

which may be for life and shall also be liable to

fine. The proviso appended to Sub-section (1)

lays down that the Court may for adequate and

special reasons to be mentioned in the

judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment

for a term of less than 7 years. There is a similar

proviso to Sub-section (2) which empowers the

Court to award a sentence of less than 10 years

for adequate and special reasons to be

mentioned in the judgment. The High Court in

the impugned order has awarded a sentence

which is not only grossly inadequate but is also

contrary to express provision of law. The High

Court has not assigned any satisfactory reason

much less adequate and special reasons for

reducing the sentence to a term which is far

below the prescribed minimum. Therefore, the

sentence awarded by the High Court is clearly

illegal.”

P.K. Balasubramanyan, J. in his concurring judgment added:

“11.The crime here is rape. It is a particularly

heinous crime, a crime against society, a crime

against human dignity, one that reduces a man

to an animal. The penal statute has prescribed a

maximum and a minimum punishment for an

offence under Section 376 I.P.C. To view such

an offence once it is proved, lightly, is itself an

affront to society. Though the award of

maximum punishment may depend on the

circumstances of the case, the award of the

minimum punishment, generally, is imperative.

The provisos to Section 376(1) and 376(2)

I.P.C. give the power to the court to award a

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sentence lesser than the minimum for adequate

and special reasons. The power under the

proviso is not to be used indiscriminately or

routinely. It is to be used sparingly and only in

cases where special facts and circumstances

justify a reduction. The reasons must be relevant

to the exercise of such discretion vested in the

court. The reasons must be set out clearly and

cogently. The mere existence of a discretion by

itself does not justify its exercise. The long

pendency of the criminal trial or the offer of the

rapist to marry the victim are not relevant

reasons. Nor is the age of the offender by itself

an adequate reason.

13.The rationale for advocating the award of

a punishment commensurate with the gravity of

the offence and its impact on society, is to

ensure that a civilized society does not revert to

the days of 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a

tooth'. Not awarding a just punishment might

provoke the victim or its relatives to retaliate in

kind and that is what exactly is sought to be

prevented by the criminal justice system we

have adopted.”

16.The said line of reasonings was adopted in about twelve short

orders following the said decision.

17.In State of Karnataka vs. Raju [(2007) 11 SCC 490], it was held:

“6. It needs no emphasis that the physical scar

may heal up, but the mental scar will always

remain. When a woman is ravished, what is

inflicted is not merely physical injury but the

deep sense of some deathless shame. An

accused cannot cling to a fossil formula and

insist on corroborative evidence, even if taken

12

as a whole, the case spoken to by the victim

strikes a judicial mind as probable. Judicial

response to human rights cannot be blunted by

legal jugglery.

7. It is to be noted that in Sub-section (2) of

Section 376 I.P.C. more stringent punishment

can be awarded taking into account the special

features indicated in the said sub-section. The

present case is covered by Section 376(2)(f) IPC

i.e. when rape is committed on a woman when

she is under 12 years of age.”

18.We have noticed hereinbefore that the age of the prosecutrix was

assessed between 11 and 13 years, but by way of abundant precaution, the

learned Sessions Judge held her age to be less than 13. The court has not,

therefore, awarded any punishment in terms of Section 376(2)(f) of the

Indian Penal Code. But even in doing so, the learned trial judge herein

imposed the minimum sentence, should have met the approval of the

High Court. It was a case where the minimum sentence, to say the least,

could be imposed. While saying so, we may notice that this Court in

State of U.P. vs. Bodem Sundara Rao [(1995) 6 SCC 230] stated the law

thus:

“6. After its amendment, Section 376(1)

provides for a minimum sentence of seven years

which may extend to life or for a term which

may extend to 10 years besides fine for the

offence of rape. The proviso to Sub-Section (1)

lays that the Court may for adequate and special

reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose

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a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less

than seven years.

7. Keeping in view the nature of the offence and

the helpless condition in which the prosecutrix a

young girl of 13/14 years was placed, the High

Court was clearly in error in reducing the

sentence imposed upon the respondent and that

too without assigning any reasons, much less

special and adequate reasons. The High Court

appears to have overlooked the mandate of the

Legislature as reflected in Section 376(1) IPC.

9. In recent years, we have noticed that crime

against women are on the rise. These crimes are

an affront to the human dignity of the society.

Imposition of grossly inadequate sentence and

particularly against the mandate of the

Legislature not only is an injustice to the victim

of the crime in particular and the society as a

whole in general but also at times encourages a

criminal. The Courts have an obligation while

awarding punishment to impose appropriate

punishment so as to respond to the society's cry

for justice against such criminals. Public

abhorrence of the crime needs a reflection

through the court's verdict in the measure of

punishment. The Courts must not only keep in

view the rights of the criminal but also the

rights of the victim of crime and the society at

large while considering imposition of the

appropriate punishment. The heinous crime of

committing rape on a helpless 13/14 years old

girl shakes our judicial conscience. The offence

was inhumane. There are no extenuating or

mitigating circumstances available on the record

which may justify imposition of sentence less

than the minimum prescribed by the Legislature

under Section 376(1) of the Act.”

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19.The imposition of minimum sentence having been brought about

by an amendment in the statute, the court should always bear in mind the

effect thereof. The power conferred on the court to impose a sentence

less than the minimum prescribed must not only be supported by any

reason but adequate and special reasons ought to be mentioned therefor.

The High Court did not do so. It is difficult to comprehend as to on what

materials the High Court opined that ‘she was a sensible girl having age

of 15 years, she did not complain to anybody and lived for several days

with respondent at Chhatarpur’. The fact that she was a minor and

subjected to rape and furthermore, as noticed hereinbefore, according to

her, she was compelled to live for several days with the respondent at

Chhatarpur as he would not listen to her plea of taking her to her father

was lost sight of by the High Court. The affidavit affirmed by her was

found to have been obtained without her knowing the contents thereof

and at the instance of respondent. The very fact that she was made to

state that her age was 18 years and she was living with the respondent as

a wife clearly goes to show the mental trauma which she was undergoing.

We are, therefore, of the opinion that the contents of the said affidavit

were wrongly used for imposing a sentence less than minimum prescribed

sentence considering the same to be mitigating factor.

15

20.Our attention, however, has been drawn to the decision of this

Court in State of Punjab vs. Gurmit Singh & Ors. [(1996) 2 SCC 384],

wherein this Court imposed less sentence than the minimum prescribed

one. In that case, a judgment of acquittal was passed. This Court

reversed the said judgment. It was in the aforementioned situation,

balance was sought to be struck, stating:

“…In this case the occurrence took place on

30.3.1984 (more than 11 years ago. The

respondents were aged between 21-24 years of

age at the time when the offence was

committed. We are informed that the

respondents have not been involved in any other

offence after they were acquitted by the trial

court on 1.6.85, more than a decade ago. All the

respondents as well as prosecutrix must have by

now got married and settled down in life. These

are some of the factors which we need to take

into consideration while imposing an

appropriate sentence on the respondents. We

accordingly sentence the respondents for the

offence Under Section 376 IPC to undergo five

years’ RI each and to pay a fine of Rs. 5000

each and in default of payment of fine to 1

year's RI each. For the offence Under Section

363 IPC we sentence them to undergo three

years R.I. each but impose no separate sentence

for the offence Under Section 366/368 IPC. The

substantive sentences of imprisonment shall,

however, run concurrently.”

21.The decision does not lay down any legal principle. It does not

create a binding precedent. We have noticed that the same learned judge

has spoken in different voice in Bodem Sundara Rao (supra).

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22.For the reasons aforementioned, the judgment of the High Court is

set aside so far as it relates to the quantum of sentence and the judgment

awarded by the trial court is restored. It is directed that the respondent be

taken in custody forthwith to serve out the remaining sentence. The

appeal is allowed to the aforementioned extent.

……………….…..………….J.

[S.B. Sinha]

..………………..……………J.

[Cyriac Joseph]

New Delhi;

December 18, 2008

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