New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has reinforced that the consistent and natural testimony of a child victim can alone form the basis for conviction in sexual assault cases, even without mechanical corroboration.
Justice Sanjeev Narula, hearing an appeal under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 376(2) IPC, noted that minor inconsistencies in the child’s account do not undermine the overall credibility of her testimony. The court emphasised that any variations between initial complaints, medical reports, and subsequent statements are nuances of expression rather than contradictions.
The case involved an eight-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted by her neighbour. The trial court had sentenced the accused to ten years of rigorous imprisonment. The High Court upheld the conviction, highlighting the role of DNA evidence, which confirmed the presence of the accused’s semen on the victim’s clothing, as critical corroboration of the child’s account.
Rejecting the defence’s claims of false implication and procedural lapses, the court stressed that speculative arguments cannot outweigh consistent testimony supported by scientific evidence. Justice Narula further underlined the POCSO Act’s objective of safeguarding children, calling for stringent action against offenders.
Additionally, the High Court directed that the survivor receive compensation under the Delhi Victim Compensation Scheme to aid her rehabilitation.
