Facts
Appellant/ accused appealed his conviction under sections 342, 363, 506(II) IPC and section 6 POCSO. The accused contacted the survivor on false pretences, confined her to a room and sexually assaulted her twice. He threatened her into secrecy using death threats. The survivor initially did not disclose anything to her uncle or the police out of fear but disclosed the abuse to her mother later. An FIR was registered against the accused.
Judgment
The Court observed that convictions could be sustained on the sole testimony of the child survivor when said testimony is found cogent and credible. Such testimony would not require supporting evidence / corroboration. The child survivor of a sex offence must not be treated as an accomplice and her evidence must receive the same weight as attached to an injured in cases of physical violence. The Court noted that in the present case, the child survivor had been consistent with her statement throughout and the same inspired confidence as well. She was cross-examined at length by the defence and she firmly withstood the test of cross-examination.