Attorney General v. M. Balakrishnan alias Appaiya – CA NO. 97/2018-2021

In the case between Hon. Attorney General (Complainant–Respondent) and M. Balakrishnan alias Appaiya (Accused–Appellant), the court addressed whether the conviction for statutory rape under Section 364(2)(e) of the Penal Code was supported by sufficient, credible evidence. The main issues considered included the alleged contradictions or omissions in the prosecutrix’s testimony, the explanation for delay in the complaint, the credibility and adequacy of medical evidence, and the appropriateness of the sentence in view of consensual circumstances. It was held that the evidence was credible, the delay in complaint was satisfactorily explained, and that corroboration was not required if the prosecutrix’s evidence was trustworthy. However, considering mitigatory factors including the absence o