{"id":379958,"date":"2026-04-02T10:00:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T04:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=379958"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:46:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T04:16:29","slug":"strict-compliance-of-non-disclosure-mandate-for-rape-victim-to-be-ensured-by-all-high-courts-supreme-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/04\/02\/strict-compliance-of-non-disclosure-mandate-for-rape-victim-to-be-ensured-by-all-high-courts-supreme-court\/","title":{"rendered":"SC reiterates position on minor discrepancy in witness testimony; Flags general indifference in following Name Anonymity rule for rape victims"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.animate-charcter{background-image: linear-gradient(-225deg, #231557 0%, #44107a 29%, #ff1361 67%, #fff800 100%); background-size: 200% auto; -webkit-background-clip: text; -webkit-text-fill-color: transparent; animation: textclip 0s linear infinite;}\n@keyframes textclip {to {background-position: 200% center;}}\n<\/style>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Supreme Court:<\/span> In an appeal challenging the setting aside of conviction and sentence under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\">376<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">IPC<\/a> and other provisions of the SC\/ST Act, on ground of inconsistencies in the prosecution&#8217;s story, <span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">the Division Bench of<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Sanjay Karol*<\/span> and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, <span style=\"color: #0e101a;\">JJ.<\/span>, stated that a truthful witness may make honest mistakes or omit immaterial details, and such normal variation should not result in wholesale rejection of evidence. However, when omissions or contradictions relate to material facts that form the foundation of the prosecution version, they assume significance and may create reasonable doubt. The Court reiterated that<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"> minor or trivial inconsistencies or discrepancies in the testimony of witnesses do not by themselves make the evidence unreliable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"animate-charcter\" style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-style: italic;\">&#8220;When it comes to inconsistencies and omissions in testimonies, which is one of the primary grounds on which the reasoning of the High Court rests, it is well recognised that human perception, memory and narration are imperfect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court also flagged general indifference displayed by courts below in not following the mandate on non-disclosure of rape victims&#8217; identities. Thus, to ensure strict compliance with the mandate on non-disclosure of rape victims&#8217; identities, the Court further directed that a copy of this judgment be sent to all High Courts to ensure that in all matters dated before the passing of the judgment in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Nipun Saxena<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/34R90o3E\" target=\"_blank\">(2019) 2 SCC 703<\/a>, which mandated the non-disclosure of the rape victim&#8217;s identity, the proscription in Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561519\" target=\"_blank\">228-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">IPC<\/a> is followed strictly. &#8220;<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Although it has been the long-standing position in law, it is not being followed<\/span>&#8221;.<\/p>\n<h3>Background<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The facts that gave rise to the present dispute pertain to the sexual assault of a minor girl (victim) by the neighbour&#8217;s son. The young victim described the excruciating incident to her parents and then to the police. An FIR was lodged; a medical examination was conducted. Her bloodied clothes were handed over to the authorities concerned. A charge-sheet was filed under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\">376<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561485\" target=\"_blank\">201<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (IPC), and Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001551147\" target=\"_blank\">3<\/a>(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">xii<\/span>), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002828505\" target=\"_blank\">Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989<\/a> (SC\/ST Act).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">It took testimonies of 16 prosecution witnesses for the trial court to convict the accused under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\">376<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">IPC<\/a> and for the offence under the SC\/ST Act; however, he was acquitted under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561485\" target=\"_blank\">201<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">IPC<\/a>. The trial court had placed its reliance on the testimony of the victim and corroborated it with the testimonies of other witnesses, pointing out that together, they pointed to the guilt of the accused.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The trial Court&#8217;s verdict was reversed by Himachal Pradesh High Court, pointing out major contradictions in the witness testimonies that the trial court purportedly ignored. The High Court highlighted serious improbabilities in the prosecution version, which suggested that the prosecutrix had apparently gone to a house that was about 8 kilometres away. The High Court also questioned how the victim could have had to travel approximately 16 kilometres in two hours, which appeared highly improbable. it was further noted that the quarrels between the families of the accused and the victim were a regular feature, and one such quarrel took placeon the very same day as the alleged incident. Further, there were differences regarding how and when the incident was reported, who went where before lodging the FIR, and whether the maternal uncle came to the house or met them on the road. These inconsistencies were considered significant by the High Court. Although the medical evidence indicated that the prosecutrix had been exposed to a sexual act, the Court held that medical opinion alone could not be treated as substantive evidence. In light of the inconsistencies and the surrounding circumstances, the medical evidence was held to be insufficient to sustain the conviction.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The State impugned the judgment of the High Court in the present appeal.<\/p>\n<h3>Court&#8217;s Analysis<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\">Anonymity of Rape Victims<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">At the outset, the Court acknowledged that the legislature had introduced a provision into IPC seeking to protect the identity of the victim of the offence under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\">376<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">IPC<\/a>, in the aftermath of the <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Tukaram<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Maharashtra<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0Z8PujIp\" target=\"_blank\">(1979) 2 SCC 143<\/a>, as far back as 1983. The 1983 amendments marked the beginning of a victim-centred orientation in Indian criminal law, as the Court reporting and media coverage could expose survivors to social stigma, ostracism, and lifelong reputational harm. Protections such as in-camera trials, evidentiary presumptions, and anonymity were designed to reduce the barriers and fears that previously discouraged reporting and effective prosecution of sexual offences.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">However, the Court grimly noted that the intent of this amendment was disturbingly missed during the proceedings in the instant case. &#8220;<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The name of the victim was treated like that of any other witness and was freely used throughout the record, which must be deprecated in the strongest terms.<\/span>&#8221; The Court stated that non-compliance with this provision had been noticed earlier as well.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\">Minor Inconsistency in Testimonies<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court noted that the principles <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">qua<\/span> appreciation of the testimony of child witnesses were formulated in the <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Rajasthan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Chatra<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/PGkF6CUy\" target=\"_blank\">(2025) 8 SCC 613<\/a>, and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of H.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Manga Singh<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7VrgEaEC\" target=\"_blank\">(2019) 16 SCC 759<\/a>. The Court observed that the impugned judgment&#8217;s foundational reasoning relates to inconsistencies and omissions in testimonies; however, it is well recognised that human perception, memory and narration are imperfect. The Court referred to <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">M.K. Anthony<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/9xz43k12\" target=\"_blank\">(1985) 1 SCC 505<\/a>, and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Appabhai<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Gujarat<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/O8oINjRG\" target=\"_blank\">1988 Supp SCC 241<\/a>,pointing out that minor inconsistencies or trivial discrepancies in the testimony of witnesses do not by themselves make the evidence unreliable.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court referred to <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Rajasthan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kalki<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/UQN9pZ5M\" target=\"_blank\">(1981) 2 SCC 752<\/a>, wherein normal discrepancies arising from errors of observation or memory and material discrepancies that go to the core of the case, were distinguished. Therein the Court had held that only material discrepancies going to the core of the case, undermines the prosecution in a substantial manner.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\">Appreciation of Evidence and Application of Legal Principles<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Applying the principles laid down by the aforestated precedents on the facts of the present case, the Court observed that the prosecutrix had positively identified the accused and had unequivocally stated that he forced himself upon her; not even a shred of doubt could be created by cross-examination on these two most essential points. Neither testimony of the mother nor the father, which supported the version of the prosecutrix, could be credibly questioned. The discrepancy that appeared, pertained to the alleged quarrel between the families of the prosecutrix and the accusedt. The Court noted that the major improbability noticed by the impugned judgment was that the prosecutrix had travelled 16 kilometres within two hours may not be possible. However, the Court highlighted that it is still an uncontroverted reality that the factum of sexual assault had not been disturbed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"animate-charcter\" style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;\">&#8220;In proving the occurrence of an offence within a particular time frame, the Court does not look for mathematical precision. For the purposes of argument, even if the alleged time frame is extended by an hour, the possibility of the occurrence of the offence is still not shaken.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\">Rejection of Medical Evidence<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court examined the rejection of concrete medical evidence on the grounds of the improbability of travelling 16 kilometres. The Court stated that it is well-established that medical evidence is an expert opinion and corroborative in nature; the <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">medical evidence may be ignored only when it contravenes other credible evidence, particularly ocular evidence<\/span>; however, that was not the issue in the present case. The Court noted that the medical evidence expressly corroborated that the victim was sexually assaulted and that she had already identified and attributed the act to the accused; the same was not challenged or questioned by the process of law. In light of the aforesaid facts, the Court refused to ignore or reject the medical evidence and witness testimonies based on some alleged improbability of time.<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court held that on the evidence of the prosecutrix alone, the offence stood established; the evidence of others only added further credence to the statement of the victim. Accordingly, the Court allowed the appeal by setting aside the impugned judgment and acquittal of the accusedt.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">[<span style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #632423;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of H.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Hukum Chand<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/aH7Rx0i8\" target=\"_blank\">2026 SCC OnLine SC 462<\/a><\/span>]<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; text-indent: 18pt; border: 2px solid black; border-radius: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; background-color: #DCDCDC;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">*Judgment authored by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/23\/know-your-judge-supreme-court-judge-sanjay-karol-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\">Justice Sanjay Karol<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Advocates who appeared in this case:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">For the appellant:<\/span> N\/A<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">For the respondent:<\/span> N\/A<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">To ensure strict compliance with the mandate on non-disclosure of rape victims&#8217; identities, the Court further directed that a copy of this judgment be sent to all High Courts that the proscription in Section 228-A IPC is followed strictly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67011,"featured_media":379959,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,9],"tags":[4561,101590,43776,101588,101587,43549,55015,16241,5681,46600,2572,101589,29912,30286,6191,5363,101591],"class_list":["post-379958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casebriefs","category-supremecourt","tag-acquittal","tag-animosity","tag-credibility-of-witness","tag-improbability-of-time","tag-inconsistent-witness","tag-justice-nongmeikapam-kotiswar-singh","tag-justice-sanjay-karol","tag-medical-evidence","tag-minor","tag-ocular-evidence","tag-Rape","tag-rejection-of-evidence","tag-sc-st-act","tag-section-376","tag-sexual-assault","tag-supreme-court","tag-uncontroverted-testimony"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.4 (Yoast SEO v26.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Courts to ensure Strict compliance of mandate on non-disclosure of rape victims&#039; 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