CHAMAN LAL vs THE STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the appellant under Sections 376 and 506 IPC, reversing the High Court's order that had quashed the trial court's acquittal. The Court emphasized that the delay in lodging the FIR was not a sufficient ground for acquittal, particularly given the mental state of the prosecutrix and the corroborative DNA evidence establishing the accused as the biological father. The appellant was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for the rape conviction and four years for criminal intimidation, with fines imposed under both sections.