State Of Chhattisgarh vs Lekhram

The Supreme Court examined the conviction of the Respondent under Section 376 IPC for the alleged rape of Sushila Bai, who was claimed to be a minor at the time of the incident. The Court held that the prosecution must prove the age of the victim beyond reasonable doubt, and the entries in the school register, while relevant, are not conclusive evidence of age. The Court ultimately reinstated the conviction under Section 376 IPC, emphasizing that consent is irrelevant when the victim is a minor, thereby affirming the lower court's decision on the charge of rape.