Advise the Magistrate in the following cases:

A police officer is charged with rape of a woman in his custody under Sec. 376, I.P.C. The crime was alleged to have been committed on 26.12.1982.  The case came for final  hearing before a Judicial Magistrate, I Class on 20.2.1984.  The prosecution argues that the accused be awarded at leas seven years rigorous imprisonment which is the minimum punishment provided  under Sec.376, I.P.C.  It was opposed on the ground that no such minimum punishment was provided for in the provision on the date of the commission of crime.