Why did the court acquit accused of attacking a minor girl?
A special court in thane district of maharashtra has acquitted a 25-year-old youth of the charge of stalking and attacking a minor girl. The court said that the prosecution failed to present concrete evidence against the accused. Due to which the court has acquitted him.
Acquitted of charges under POCSO Act
Special Judge D.S. Deshmukh acquitted the accused of charges under Section 354 of the indian Penal Code (assault or use of force with intent to outrage the modesty of a woman), stalking, intimidation and POCSO Act, 2012. This order was given on april 4, a copy of which was available on Monday. The prosecution alleged that the accused stalked and outraged the modesty of a 15-year-old girl between august 2020 and january 8, 2021. But the accused's lawyer Sudhakar R. Parad exposed the prosecution's claims and the weakness of the police investigation before the court.
False statement given due to misunderstanding
Judge Deshmukh said in his judgment that 'in such cases, the accused cannot be convicted on the basis of corroborative evidence alone.' Three witnesses, the girl, her father and the investigating officer appeared in the court. The court admitted that the girl was a minor, but concrete facts were not found in the testimony. The girl's father admitted in the court that he had given a false statement due to misunderstanding. At the same time, the victim also admitted that she had complained to break the friendship with the accused and she was scared while recording the statement. The court also said that there is no concrete evidence on record like defamation by posting photos on Instagram. The court said that the prosecution could not prove the guilt of the accused beyond doubt and acquitted him of all charges.
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