Karnataka HC quashes death sentence of 62-yr-old rape accused

The Karnataka High Court has quashed the death sentence awarded by a lower court against a 62-year-old accused, who is charged with raping a minor girl. The bench also ordered a fresh enquiry to be completed in a period of 6 months.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed the death sentence awarded by a lower court against a 62-year-old accused, who is charged with raping a minor girl. The bench also ordered a fresh enquiry to be completed in a period of 6 months. The divisional bench headed by Justice G. Narender looking into the criminal appeal petition by the accused person Venkateshppa gave the order on Thursday.

The investigation officers have submitted the DNA report in connection with the case along with the charge sheet. However, there are doubts regarding the credibility of the test. The lower court has set aside the submission of the accused to conduct fresh blood and semen test, the bench observed. The bench further stated that the lower court has said it was not required to call upon the experts who gave DNA reports to the court and it was not judicious on part of the court to predetermine the evidence of DNA experts by not allowing them to record their statement in court.