RAM MURAT vs STATE NCT OF DELHI & ANR.

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of reserving: 06th April, 2026 Date of Decision: 21st April, 2026 IN THE MATTER OF: + CRL.A. 444/2022 RAM MURAT .....Appellant Through: Appellant-in-person with Ms. Manika Tripathy (DHCLSC) with Ms. Roman Khan and Mr. Saksham, Advs. versus STATE (NCT OF DELHI) & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Mukesh Kumar, APP for the State with SI Krishan Verma PS Inderpuri. Ms. Monisha Handa, Adv. Amicus Curiae for the victim / prosecutrix. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIMAL KUMAR YADAV JUDGMENT VIMAL KUMAR YADAV, J. 1. Appellate jurisdiction of this Court has been invoked by the Appellant under Section 374(2) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (Cr.P.C) with the aid of Section 482 Cr.P.C. while assailing the judgment of conviction and order on sentence dated 30.03.2022 and 18.05.2022 respectively, delivered by the learned ASJ-01, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi (hereinafter referred to as Trial Court). 2. Appellant Ram Murat was held guilty and convicted under Section 376 (2)(f)(i) of Indian Penal Code (‘IPC’), 1860 and Section 6 of Protection Signature Not Verified Signed By:ASHOK CRL.A. 444/2022 Ram Murat vs. State (NCT of Delhi) & Anr. Page 1 of 18 KUMAR CHOUHAN Signing Date:23.04.2026 11:18:47 of Children from Sexual Offences Act (‘POCSO’), 2012 and was sentenced to Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) for a term of 15 years and fine of Rs. 20,000/- under Section 376 (2)(f)(i) IPC and in default of payment of fine, Simple Imprisonment (SI) for six months. The co-accused, whereas, who happens to be the biological mother of the victims and wife of Appellant, charged under Section 21 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, (POCSO), was acquitted by the Trial Court. 3. While passing the Sentence, learned Trial Court has ordered p