Thane POCSO Court Acquits Man After Girl Admits Consensual Relationship

A special POCSO court in Thane has acquitted a man who was facing charges of kidnapping and sexual assault. The ruling was delivered by Special Judge SP Agarwal after the prosecution failed to present cogent and reliable evidence against the accused.

The court's decision relied heavily on the testimony of the complainant. During her cross-examination, the girl, who was a minor aged 16 at the time of the alleged offence in June 2021, made key admissions that undermined the prosecution's case.

According to the court findings, the girl admitted that she had been in a voluntary love relationship with the accused man. She stated that this relationship had been ongoing for two to three years prior to the incident in June 2021.

Furthermore, the girl testified that she had willingly left her home to accompany the man. She explicitly stated during the cross-examination that the accused had never forced her to do anything against her will.

In light of these admissions, Special Judge SP Agarwal noted the lack of reliable evidence to support the allegations of kidnapping and sexual assault. Consequently, the Thane court cleared the man of all charges, concluding the legal proceedings in his favour.

The legal clearance of the accused illustrates how courts evaluate cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act when there is a clear admission of a consensual relationship by the complainant. With the girl's testimony confirming her voluntary participation, the prosecution's allegations of kidnapping and force could not be sustained in the Thane court.