The Delhi High Court has upheld a conviction in a child sexual assault case, stating that the consistent and natural testimony of a minor victim, supported by DNA evidence, can serve as sufficient grounds for conviction.
Justice Sanjeev Narula emphasized that “minor inconsistencies in the narration of a child cannot dilute the essence of her account,” particularly when scientific evidence such as DNA profiling corroborates the victim’s statements.
The case involved the sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl by her neighbour. The trial court had sentenced the accused to ten years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 376(2) IPC.
Rejecting the defence’s claims of contradictions in the victim’s statements, the High Court noted that variations between her initial complaint, medical history, and later testimony were “nuances of expression, not contradictions.” The court also dismissed allegations of false implication due to prior animosity as speculative and unsupported by evidence.
Significantly, DNA analysis confirmed the presence of the accused’s semen on the child’s garments, reinforcing the credibility of her account. The judge ruled that investigative lapses, such as the absence of independent witnesses or site plans, did not weaken the case given the consistent testimony and forensic evidence.
Highlighting the protective intent of the POCSO Act, Justice Narula stated that such offences “strike at the very core of a child’s dignity and security” and must be met with stringent punishment. The court also directed compensation under the Delhi Victim Compensation Scheme for the survivor’s rehabilitation.
