Fast track court acquits man accused of raping his tenant

A man accused of raping his tenant has been acquitted by a fast track court here which said the police have been unable to prove the case against him after the alleged victim turned hostile during trial.

The judgement was passed by one of the special fast track courts set up here to try exclusively cases related to sexual offences.

Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) T R Naval acquitted Jagdamba Singh, a resident of Sonia Vihar here, observing that the woman, who was allegedly raped, and her husband had not supported the prosecution's case.

"In view of above reasons and discussion, it is held that prosecution could not prove its case against accused Jagdamba Singh beyond reasonable suspicion and shadow of doubt that he committed rape of the prosecutrix or he threatened to kill her or her son...."Consequently, by giving him benefit of doubt, accused is acquitted for the offences punishable under section 376/506 of the IPC," the court said.

According to the police, on May 28, 2011, Singh had raped the woman after threatening to kill her and her child.

The police said the woman narrated the incident to her husband after which the case was lodged.

During the proceedings, the court in November 2011 had framed charges against Singh for offences under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

During the trial, the woman had told the court that Singh was the landlord of the house where she was residing and he had came to her room for taking rent.

After she showed her inability to pay the rent, Singh started abusing her but he did not rape her, she had said.

Similarly, her husband also deposed in the court that her wife had sustained injuries on her wrist due to breaking of bangles.

The court did not record Singh's statement during trial as there were no incriminating evidence against him.

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