On Monday(15th April), The Delhi High Court acquitted a man charged under the POCSO Act due to inadequacies in the prosecution’s case, highlighting the necessity of a fair judicial process.
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DELHI: On Monday(15th April), The Delhi High Court acquitted a man charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, citing shortcomings and inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case.
The court articulated a profound concern regarding the delicate balance of justice in cases involving child abuse.
“A wrongful acquittal undermines public confidence, but a wrongful conviction is even more severe.”
– the High Court remarked.
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Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, overseeing the case, highlighted significant flaws in the prosecution’s arguments.
He remarked-
“The prosecution’s argument is filled with shortcomings and inconsistencies that undermine its essence, ultimately failing to establish the charge against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.”
This indicates a rigorous judicial scrutiny process evaluating the coherence and credibility of the presented evidence.
Highlighting the societal implications of such cases, Justice Mendiratta emphasized the enduring stigma faced by individuals wrongly implicated in child abuse cases.
“In cases of false implication, individuals accused of child abuse endure enduring social stigma, often more distressing than the challenges of legal proceedings and incarceration.”
– he remarked.
The appellant, who had been sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs. 4000 for offenses punishable under Section 10 of the POCSO Act, 2012, and Section 506 of the IPC, also faced directives to compensate the alleged victim with Rs. 20,000. This case, originating from a 2016 complaint registered at the Jaitpur police station, brings to the fore the complexities involved in adjudicating allegations of sexual offenses against children.
Further complicating the case, the High Court noted the possibility that the allegations might have been influenced by external factors such as “tutoring or fabrication due to animosity and matrimonial disputes.” This consideration introduces an additional layer of scrutiny into the motivations behind the accusations and the integrity of the evidence.
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Another notable aspect of the case was the victim’s refusal to undergo an internal medical examination, which the court found puzzling. The absence of a plausible explanation for this decision added to the doubts surrounding the prosecution’s case. Moreover, inconsistencies in the victim’s account regarding the appellant’s actions further weakened the case, as the High Court observed changes in her narrative “at her discretion.”
