Court affirms ten-year sentence for accused based on strong electronic evidence and consistent testimony of the victim.
In a significant judgment, the Delhi High Court has upheld the conviction of Satbir Singh Ratti, accused of repeated rape, extortion, and criminal intimidation. The case, which has attracted substantial attention, revolves around accusations that Ratti used private photographs to blackmail and rape the victim, identified as PW1, on multiple occasions. Justice Chandrasekharan Sudha delivered the verdict, affirming the trial court’s decision to sentence Ratti to rigorous imprisonment for ten years, along with fines totaling over Rs. 4.6 lakh.
The case stems from events beginning in June 2015 when the accused, through a matrimonial website, initiated contact with the victim. The relationship turned abusive, with Ratti allegedly using the victim’s private photographs to extort money and coerce her into sexual acts. The High Court found the victim’s testimony credible and corroborated by electronic evidence, including audio and video recordings extracted from their mobile devices.
The appellant's defense, which claimed false implication due to extortion demands from the victim's family, was dismissed for lack of evidence. The court also rejected arguments questioning the admissibility of electronic evidence, noting the forensic examination validated its authenticity.
This case highlights the pivotal role of electronic evidence in modern legal proceedings, with the court emphasizing the sufficiency of primary evidence over the need for additional certifications under the Indian Evidence Act. The judgment reinforces the legal system’s commitment to upholding justice in cases involving digital threats and intimidation.
Bottom Line:
Conviction for rape, extortion, and criminal intimidation upheld based on consistent testimony of the prosecutrix corroborated by electronic evidence, including audio and video recordings extracted from mobile devices.
Statutory provision(s):
Indian Penal Code, Sections 376(2)(n), 384, 506 Part II; Indian Evidence Act, Section 65B; Criminal Procedure Code, Section 313(1)(b)
Satbir Singh Ratti v. State NCT of Delhi, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2966969
