Delay in Fir cannot be grounds for acquittal: HC

Delay in lodging an FIR cannot be a ground for acquittal in a rape case, the Delhi High Court has said.

Delay in lodging an FIR cannot be a ground for acquittal in a rape case, the Delhi High Court has said.

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The court said this while dismissing an appeal of a man who was sentenced to seven-year imprisonment for raping a girl.

Justice SN Dhingra dismissed an appeal filed by Ajay alias Lovely, who challenged the trial court's May 7 conviction order and sought acquittal as the girl's family had registered the FIR a month after the incident.

The court accepted the statement of the victim's mother, who said the incident happened on July 5, 2005, was not in city. After returning to Delhi, she vacated the rented house soon immediately after her daughter told her that she had been raped by their landlord's son.

The mother's statement said her husband died on August 9, 2005, which resulted in delay.