VIMAL SURESH KAMBLE vs CHALUVERAPINAKE APAL S.P.

The Supreme Court overturned the Bombay High Court's acquittal of the respondent under Sections 342 and 376 IPC, emphasizing that the absence of immediate reporting does not negate the credibility of the victim's testimony. The Court held that the victim's conduct post-incident, including her delay in reporting, can be explained by psychological trauma and societal pressures. The judgment reinforced the principle that consent obtained through coercion constitutes rape, thereby upholding the need for a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding the incident.