Rape Constitutes "Brutal Invasion" of Woman’s Dignity under Article 21: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court refused to set aside a man’s rape conviction, holding that the offence represents a serious assault on a woman’s dignity and a brutal infringement of the fundamental right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The case arose from an appeal against a Sessions Court judgment convicting the accused under Sections 376, 506, 323 and 342 of the IPC.

The Court rejected the defence of consent, relying on the survivor’s consistent testimony, corroborative medical injuries, and the FSL report, and concluded that the prosecution had established the charges beyond reasonable doubt.