Research › Search › Judgment

Chhattisgarh High Court · body

2023 DIGILAW 317 (CHH)

Swapnil Sharma S/o Yogesh Sharma v. State Of Chhattisgarh

2023-07-14

RAJANI DUBEY

body2023
ORDER : 1. This Criminal Revision is filed under Section 397 r/w Section 401 of CrPC against impugned order dated 08.09.2021 (Annexure A2) passed by the learned Special Judge (POCSO), Balod, district-Balod in Special Criminal Case (POCSO)-13 of 2021 for setting aside the impugned order and to transfer the matter to learned Special Judge (POCSO) to conduct an enquiry regarding age of applicant, in the interest of Justice. 2. Brief facts of the case, as projected by applicant, are that respondent-2/victim lodged a written complaint to the Station House Officer, Ranchirai, district-Balod (CG) alleging that in 2017, when she was studying in Class X, she went to Ranchirai Market and came in acquaintance with applicant. Thereafter, applicant took her to village Bhatagaon and established physical relationship with her from 10.02.2018 till August 2020. In August, 2020, applicant again took the victim to village-Kohin on his motorcycle and married her by way of putting vermilion on her forehead and also took photographs. Finally on 24.11.2020, he took her to Raipur, got a rented house and kept her as wife for some time and dropped her at her maternal aunt in village Khopri and ran away. Her father lodged missing report at Police Station Ranchirai. Police found victim in village Khopri, and she was sent to her parental home. Thereafter, she made a written complaint Annexure A1 on 29.01.2021. Based on report, crime was registered against applicant. Police after investigation filed charge-sheet. Applicant filed an application dated 15.07.2021 seeking transfer of case to Juvenile Justice Board on the ground that on the date of first incident ie on 10.02.2018, applicant was aged about 17 years, which was dismissed by the learned Special Judge, POCSO on 08.09.2021. Hence this revision by the applicant. 3. Learned counsel for applicant submits that applicant’s date of birth is 05.01.2001, in support of this, applicant filed his High School Certificate along with other documents. As per prosecution, first incident of sexual relationship took place on 10.02.2018. As such, on the date, applicant was aged 17 years one month and five days, ie below 18 years, meaning thereby, he was minor on the date as defined in Section 6 of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. As per prosecution, first incident of sexual relationship took place on 10.02.2018. As such, on the date, applicant was aged 17 years one month and five days, ie below 18 years, meaning thereby, he was minor on the date as defined in Section 6 of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. Learned counsel further submits that learned Special Judge committed illegality in not conducting enquiry as provided under Section 7A of Juvenile Justice Act and violated the dictum of Hon’ble Apex court laid down in case of Ashwani Kumar Saxena Vs State of MP reported in (2012) 9 750. He also submits that learned trial Court registered complaint case under POCSO Act on this ground that on the date of first incident prosecutrix/victim was also minor. Thus, applicant’s case is liable to be tried by Juvenile Justice Board. 4. Learned counsel for the State supported the impugned order and submits that learned trial Court has rightly appreciated the evidence on record, relied upon the decision of Hon’ble Supreme Court in case of Vikas Chaudhary Vs State (NCT of Delhi) and another reported in (2010) 8 SCC 508 and found that there is prima facie material available against the accused. 5. No one appears on behalf of complainant/victim though served. 6. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused material available on record. 7. Learned trial Court in its impugned order says that as per written complaint of victim, at the time of lodging FIR victim was aged about 19 years. As per written complaint, when victim was aged about 17 years, accused established physical relationship with her, initially on 10.02.2018. In applicant’s High School Certificate issued by the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education, Raipur, which is said to be relevant piece of evidence, date of birth of applicant is 05.01.2001 i.e. on the initial date of incident, applicant was below 18 years. But learned trial Court found that applicant ‘continued the offence’ from 20.12.2020 to 27.01.2021, and treated the applicant to be more than 18 years of age, relying upon judgment of Vikas Chaudhary (supra). 8. But learned trial Court found that applicant ‘continued the offence’ from 20.12.2020 to 27.01.2021, and treated the applicant to be more than 18 years of age, relying upon judgment of Vikas Chaudhary (supra). 8. While dealing with the issue of ‘juvenility’, Hon’ble Apex Court in case of Ashwani Kumar (supra) has held as under: “We are, therefore, of the view that the appellant has successfully established his juvenility on the date of occurrence of crime ie 19.10.2008 on which date he was aged only 17 years 11 months 25 days.” 9. In this case also victim reported the matter to the Police on 29.01.2021, in which it is mentioned that initial incident took place on 10.02.2018 (when victim and applicant both were minor), and thereafter, continued till 27.01.2021. If the victim at the first date of offence considered to be minor, in order to attract offences under POCSO Act, the same has to be applied for the accused/petitioner also, who was then a minor boy, below 18 years of age as per prosecution’s own case. The case under POCSO Act cannot be applied when the offence is committed on a victim ie major girl after she attained 18 years of age. Learned trial Court without any enquiry, decided only the age of applicant as above 18 years, which is bad in law. 10. In view of above discussion, impugned order is set aside. Learned trial Court is directed to make enquiry about age of applicant/accused and then proceed further, in accordance with law. If on the initial date of incident applicant was found to be below the age of 18 years, the case registered against him to be transferred to Juvenile Justice Board concerned for trial. 11. Applicant and State are directed to file oral and documentary evidence before trial Court if so desire, and after taking cognizance of their evidence and after hearing both the parties, trial Court shall pass order regarding age of applicant and then proceed accordingly. 12. Criminal Revision is accordingly disposed of.