Bharat Bhushan vs State Of H.P

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellant under Section 376 IPC for the rape of an 11-year-old girl, reversing the trial court's acquittal. The High Court found the prosecution's case credible, supported by the testimonies of the victim and corroborating witnesses, including a medical examination confirming the rape. The appellant's argument for juvenile status under Section 20 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 was rejected, following the precedent set in Pratap Singh v. State of Jharkhand (2005) 3 SCC 551.