Patna High Court acquits rape accused, finds victim's testimony unreliable

The Patna High Court in the case Mannu Vs. State of Bihar observed and has acquitted an accused in a rape case, finding the victim's testimony to be unreliable.

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The court in the case noted that the statement of the victim in court significantly differed from her initial written statement to the police, and there were serious contradictions in both her statement and her conduct, making her untrustworthy.

The bench comprising of Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Jitendra Kumar was hearing the present matter.

The bench in the case is conscious of the law that on the sole testimony of prosecutrix, accused may be convicted without corroboration of her testimony because she is not an accomplice and stands on the footing of an injured witness. But for such conviction, the prosecutrix is required to be trustworthy, inspiring confidence of the court. She must be a sterling witness.

The court in the case found that the prosecutrix does not appear to be truthful and trustworthy.

Adding to it, the division bench stated that she has not only drastically improved her statement before the Court differing with her written statement given to the police, there are serious inherent contradictions in her statement and conduct rendering her unreliable and untrustworthy.