SC rejects review plea of man who raped his daughter

New Delhi, Feb 25 (UNI) The Supreme Court today dismissed a petition seeking review of its order dated November 17, 2005, sentencing Asharam from Himachal Pradesh to life imprisonment for raping his minor daughter.

A Bench comprising Justices H K Sema and P P Naolekar had earlier increased the five-year sentence awarded to Asharam by the trial court to life imprisonment.

The apex court, however, directed the Sessions Court to initiate prosecution of the girl child under section 192 and 193 of the IPC for giving false evidence in the court during trial.

She had filed an affidavit in the apex court wherein she stated that she had made false allegation against her father under the pressure from her mother Kalawati, who had strained relations with her father.

The prosecutrix shall face charges of perjury.

Himachal Pradesh High Court had, however, acquitted Asharam.

State of Himachal Pradesh approached the Supreme Court against the order of acquittal.

UNI AKS/SC GT ND1725