GANGTOK, India, April 1 -- Sikkim High Court issued the following judgment/order on March 2:
1. There is nothing in criminal law which prohibits accepting a minor victim's statement. Rule is of caution. Caution against tutoring which some children may be susceptible to. In sexual offences one rarely finds evidence of eye witnesses. Statement of minor victim has to be cautiously examined by the Court. Corroboration of a minor victim's statement is not a rule. The Court however, examines the surrounding circumstances and the evidence available to assure itself that the victim's statement is truthful. It is only the victim who knows and understands what she has gone through and therefore weightage is given to victim's testimony. When the alle...