PANAJI
The Fast Track Special Court in Panaji has awarded 10-year imprisonment to a man convicted of rape, despite the victim expressing her wish to not continue with the case during the trial.
The accused, reportedly in a decade-long relationship with the victim, is charged with raping her under the guise of marriage and thereafter threatening to defame her.
During the trial, the prosecution submitted to the Court that the accused had been involved in sexual relations with the victim since 2009, promising marriage. However, starting in December 2017, he allegedly coerced her into sexual intercourse by threatening to leak their compromising photographs. A case was thereafter filed at the Old Goa police station in Feb 2018 followed by his arrest and bail three days later.
The case details have revealed a complex history wherein the victim’s family relocated back to their native in Karnataka in 2011 while the accused persuaded her to stay back. Despite his family’s rejection of the marriage proposal initiated by the victim, the accused reportedly forced her into maintaining physical relations.
Throughout the trial, while the prosecution presented compelling evidence, the victim, during her cross-examination, expressed her wish “to not continue with the case” as she had moved on with her life. Despite her stance, the Court pronounced a verdict, convicting and sentencing the accused to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The Court presided over by Judge Durga Madkaikar termed the matter as heinous stating it cannot be compounded. “Moreover, the medical evidence is positive for rape. The contents of the medical report in respect of the victim are not disputed by the advocate for the accused. Similarly, the contents of the scene of offence panchanama also not disputed by the advocate for the accused… the prosecution has established the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt,” the order states.
The accused is also directed to pay compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the victim.
