Delhi Court Acquits Man Accused of Rape, Cites Relationship and Insufficient Evidence

A Delhi court acquitted a man accused of rape, highlighting a consensual relationship and lack of evidence. The court noted discrepancies in the victim's claims and unreliable evidence regarding her age. Charged under multiple sections, the prosecution failed to establish a substantial case, leading to the release of the neighbor after over three years in custody.

In a significant legal development, a Delhi court has acquitted a man accused of rape, attributing the verdict to the consensual nature of the relationship between the accused and the alleged victim. The accused, identified as the victim's neighbor, was cleared of all charges after the court noted a lack of substantive evidence.

Judge Santosh Kumar Singh, presiding over the case, concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. The charges, registered under sections 506, 354, and 376(2)(n) of the IPC, were dismissed after scrutiny revealed discrepancies in the victim's testimony and inconsistencies in the supporting documentation.

The court underscored the absence of coercion or assault by the accused, emphasizing that the alleged events transpired within a consensual framework. Furthermore, the court found the evidence related to the victim's age, particularly the birth certificate, to be unreliable. Advocate Deepak Sharma, representing the accused, argued successfully that the document was forged as it lacked the victim's name. Despite the serious allegations, the accused was in custody for nearly four years before being exonerated.

(With inputs from agencies.)