PRADEEP KUMAR vs STATE NCT OF DELHI

Judgment text excerpt

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Reserved on : 01.12.2025 Pronounced on : 12.01.2026 Uploaded on : 12.01.2026 + CRL.A. 665/2017 PRADEEP KUMAR .....Appellant Through: Mr. K. Singhal, Mr. Prasanna and Ms. Avantika Shankar, Advocates versus STATE NCT OF DELHI .....Respondent Through: Mr. Pradeep Gahalot, APP for State with WSI Surbhi Aggarwal, P.S. Punjabi Bagh Mr. Rohan J. Alva, Advocate (Amicus Curiae Pro Bono) for victim with Mr. Anant Sanghi, Advocate CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE MANOJ KUMAR OHRI JUDGMENT 1. By way of the present appeal filed under Section 374 Cr.P.C., the appellant seeks to assail the judgment of conviction dated 26.05.2017 and order on sentence dated 31.05.2017 passed by the learned ASJ-01, SFTC, West District, Tis Hazari Courts, New Delhi, in Sessions Case No. 62/2014 arising out of FIR No. 163/2014 registered under Sections 376/342/506 IPC at P.S. Punjabi Bagh. Vide the impugned order on sentence, the appellant was sentenced to 7 years RI along with fine of Rs.20,000/-, in default whereof he would Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:PREM CRL.A. 665/2017 Page 1 of 10 MOHAN CHOUDHARY Signing Date:12.01.2026 21:26:31 undergo 1 month SI, for the offence under Section 376 IPC; 6 months RI along with fine of Rs.1,000/-, in default whereof he would undergo 7 days SI, for the offence under Section 344 IPC; and 3 years RI for the offence under Section 506 IPC. All the sentences were directed to run concurrently and the benefit under Section 428 Cr.P.C. was granted to the appellant. 2. The co-convict, namely Lalita Devi, had preferred a separate criminal appeal bearing CRL.A. No. 724/2017, which was abated and disposed of by this Court vide order dated 29.08.2025 on a verification report confirming the factum of her death being filed by the S