Rape or consensual sex? From accused to husband, Thane court acquits man in controversial case

Mumbai: A Thane court acquitted a man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting his neighbor's teenage daughter as the victim admitted that their relationship was consensual, now married with a child and confirmed that she willingly accompanied the accused and was not complaining of anything. "The verdict in this case proves that there were no charges as per the law under the POCSO Act and other respective laws," pronounced Special Judge DS Deshmukh.

Initial charges and complaints

The case started when the accused took the teenage girl to different places without her family's consent in January 2019. Initially, he was charged with kidnapping, and then charges under the POCSO Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were added to the FIR.

Testimony of the victim changes the case

During the trial, the girl testified that she was 18 years old at the time of the incident and had willingly left with the accused. She stated that no coercion or force was involved and that she was fully aware of her actions. She also revealed that they are now married with a son and living peacefully. "The statements by the victim squarely indicate that she had willingly escaped with the respondent. The well-established facts, which are deemed necessary to call for the presumptions under the POCSO Act, do not stand proven," said Judge Deshmukh.

It was found that the prosecution failed to prove the case against him, and therefore, acquitted him. A copy of the judgment was made available on Saturday.

Rapist murder: Couple held for child Rape and murder

In another shocking case from Thane, a couple was arrested for the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl. Vishal Gawli, with the help of his wife Sakshi Gawli, allegedly abducted the girl from Kalyan's Chakki Naka area on December 23 while she was playing outside her home.

The police said that the couple raped and murdered the girl and left her body along the Kalyan-Padgha road. After completing their police remand on Saturday, they were produced before District and Additional Sessions Judge VA Patravale in Kalyan, who sent them to judicial custody till January 18.