Citation: (2007) 15 SCC 549 #
(Para 7): “As far as delay in lodging the FIR was concerned, the High Court has taken a practical view having regard to the facts of life. The High Court has also pointed out that in cases involving offence of rape, the victims or members of the family of the victim will be hesitant and reluctant to rush to file a complaint as there will be other factors working in their minds, such as the reputation of the family and the career and the future of the victim, particularly if the girl is unmarried. The High Court keeping in view the decisions of this Court in this regard has rightly held that the delay in lodging the FIR was not fatal. It is also observed that no cross-examination was made on the point as to the delay caused in lodging the FIR. The High Court held that the evidence of the prosecutrix i.e. PW 1 in this case was trustworthy and it was acceptable as PW 1 in her evidence has narrated about the entire invident giving all particulars. It should also be kept in mind that the age of th eprosecutrix at the time of the incident was about 10 years.”
