In its first verdict, spl Kerala HC bench acquits rape convict

KOCHI: The special bench in the Kerala High Court, hearing petitions related to sexual assaults and atrocities against women and children, on Monday acquitted the accused in a rape case in its first verdict.

Allowing the appeal of the accused, Sivadasan, against his conviction and sentence of 10 years imprisonment by a lower court, Justice P Bhavadasan held that there was delay in filing the complaint against the accused and holding that the statements of the victim and other witnesses were unbelievable.

The alleged incident occurred in 1994 while the victim had filed the complaint three years later.

The petitioner had challenged the order of Additional Sessions Court in Manjeri which had also slapped a fine of Rs one lakh on him.