4 days ago
Chhattisgarh High Court Acquits Man in Miscarriage Case
A woman said a man had a relationship with her and later gave her pills that caused a miscarriage.
The man denied responsibility and said the pregnancy could have been from her husband.
A lower court had convicted him and sentenced him to three years in prison.
The man appealed to the Chhattisgarh High Court.
The High Court said it was not enough to show that the woman had been pregnant and then miscarried.
Prosecutors also had to prove that the man caused the miscarriage.
They also had to prove that it happened without the woman’s consent.
Because the evidence did not prove these points beyond reasonable doubt, the court acquitted him.
The Chhattisgarh High Court acquitted a man convicted of causing miscarriage and rape.
The court said pregnancy and miscarriage alone did not prove the charges.
Prosecutors had to prove the man caused the miscarriage without the woman’s consent.
The woman alleged he gave her pills after refusing to marry her because of caste differences.
Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal found insufficient evidence linking the man to the miscarriage or proving lack of consent.
- Who
- An unnamed man, a married woman, the prosecution, and the Chhattisgarh High Court, led in this case by Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal.
- What
- The High Court overturned the man’s conviction for causing miscarriage and rape and acquitted him of all charges.
- Where
- The case was heard in the Chhattisgarh High Court; the woman and man lived in the same neighbourhood.
- When
- The woman filed the FIR in May 2013; the trial court convicted the man in May 2016; the High Court order was dated September 26.
- Why
- The court found that the prosecution had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the man caused the miscarriage or that it occurred without the woman’s consent.
Prosecution’s Allegations
Defense and Court’s Findings
Cause of miscarriage
Prosecution’s Allegations
The state argued that the woman said the man administered pills after she became pregnant, resulting in the miscarriage.
Defense and Court’s Findings
The defense argued there was no proof that the man caused the miscarriage, including no DNA report of the fetus; the doctor said the miscarriage could have been natural or externally caused.
Consent and relationship
Prosecution’s Allegations
The prosecution relied on the woman’s account that the man sexually exploited her on the promise of marriage and later gave her pills.
Defense and Court’s Findings
The court noted her admission that she was having a consensual relationship with the man and found that the prosecution had not proved the miscarriage occurred without her consent.
Evidentiary standard
Prosecution’s Allegations
The state argued that the woman’s testimony established the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Defense and Court’s Findings
The High Court held that medical proof of miscarriage alone was insufficient and acquitted the man because the required links were not proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Key facts
- Initial complaint
- The woman lodged an FIR in May 2013.
- Alleged pregnancy
- She said she was about three months pregnant.
- Medical finding
- A doctor found she was 10–12 weeks pregnant and undergoing an abortion; the doctor said it could have occurred naturally or from an external cause.
- Trial sentence
- The man received three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 5,000 fine after the May 2016 conviction.
- High Court outcome
- The court set aside the trial court’s conviction order and acquitted the man of all charges.
- Required proof
- The prosecution had to prove the pregnancy, miscarriage, causation by the accused, and lack of consent beyond reasonable doubt.
Quotes
Chhattisgarh High Court
The court issuing the ruling through Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal
“Mere proof of pregnancy followed by miscarriage, in the absence of cogent evidence connecting the act of the accused with the miscarriage and establishing want of consent, would not be sufficient to sustain conviction.”
indianexpress.com
“This distinction can become decisive where the woman herself took abortion pills, went to hospital voluntarily or medical records indicate consent.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Kerala High Court Quashes Case Over Marriage Promise Claim
Gujarat High Court Quashes FIR Over Failed Marriage Promise
Bombay High Court Quashes FIR in Failed Relationship Case
Chhattisgarh High Court rejects divorce over insults, desertion claims
Supreme Court quashes FIR after mother blocks NRI marriage
Delhi Court Acquits Man After Assault Victim Turns Hostile
Why Moringa Is Called a Superfood: Reported Health Benefits
High Court Balances No-Confidence Motion With Pregnant Sarpanch’s Rights
Haryana Seeks Singapore Investment in Technology and Professional Centres
CGSSB Releases Assistant Teacher Admit Cards Ahead of October Exam
Former Bastar Security Camp Becomes Hostel for Tribal Students
