Court Acquits Man in High-Profile POCSO Case

A court in Maharashtra acquitted a man accused of sexually harassing his cousin, citing lack of evidence as key witnesses, including the victim, did not support the case. The accused faced charges under the POCSO Act, but inconsistencies in testimonies led to his acquittal.

A court in Maharashtra's Thane district acquitted a 23-year-old man accused of sexually harassing his minor cousin. The court's decision on April 27, made by special judge Premal S Vithalani, followed the victim's failure to support the prosecution's case.

The allegations, dated November 18, 2018, included sexual harassment and threats against the 14-year-old girl. However, during the trial, inconsistencies arose as key witnesses, including the victim and her family, turned hostile, undermining the prosecution's case.

In its judgment, the court noted the prosecution's inability to prove the foundational facts of the alleged crime. Consequently, the accused was acquitted of charges under both the POCSO Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code.