Accused walks free in minor’s rape case

The fast-track special court, Chandigarh, has acquitted a person, who was arrested in a POCSO case, after the prosecution failed to prove the charges. The police registered a case against the accused under Sections 363, 376 (2) (N) and 376 (3) of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act on February 8, 2023, on the complaint of father of the minor victim.

The complainant said he resided with his wife and five children in Chandigarh. On February 5, 2023, his minor daughter left the house at around 7 pm without informing anyone and could not be found, despite several efforts.

He said he had suspicions that an unidentified person had enticed his daughter and taken her away. During the course of the investigation, the girl was found and the accused was arrested. She told the police that the accused had enticed her on the pretext of marriage. After completion of the formalities, a challan was presented in the court against the accused. Finding a prima facie case, charges against the accused were framed to which he pleaded not guilty.

The counsel argued that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges, while the complainant had failed to identify the accused and declared hostile. Even the victim did not support the prosecution. After hearing the arguments the court acquitted the accused.