Pocso Court Acquits Man as Minor Admits False Rape Allegation to Force Marriage
A special court in Goa handling cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act has acquitted a man who was charged with the alleged kidnapping and rape of a minor girl. The court's decision came after the girl testified that she had fabricated the claim of sexual intercourse to pressure her parents into consenting to her marriage with the accused.
Girl's Voluntary Testimony Leads to Acquittal
During the trial, the minor explicitly stated that she went with the accused voluntarily and denied any sexual relations occurred between them. She provided a detailed explanation for her earlier false statement to the police, citing cultural pressures in her village. "She has given an explanation as to why she made this statement, stating that in her village, if this is said, the elders get the couple married," the court noted in its observation, highlighting the social context behind her actions.
Sequence of Events and Investigation
The case began when the girl's father filed a complaint alleging she was kidnapped while practicing sports after higher secondary school. Authorities later traced the minor and the accused to Khalilabad in Uttar Pradesh. In her testimony, the girl revealed that she travelled with him to Ahmedabad, where they stayed for three months and got married in a temple. She also communicated to her parents over the phone that she would not return home, and the couple subsequently went to Nepal.
Court's Rationale for Acquittal
Presiding officer of the fast track special court, Pooja Kavlekar, emphasized the lack of evidence to support the charges. "Although she has stated that she voluntarily went with the accused, she has nowhere stated that the accused had sex with her. There is no material to convict the accused for the offence of kidnapping, sexual assault or rape. The victim has stated that she falsely stated before the magistrate that she had sexual intercourse with the accused. I find nothing incriminating to convict the accused," Kavlekar stated, leading to the acquittal.
Implications and Broader Context
This case underscores the complexities in Pocso proceedings, where false allegations can have severe consequences for the accused. The court's decision reflects a careful consideration of the victim's testimony and the absence of corroborative evidence. It also raises awareness about societal pressures that might lead minors to make such claims, potentially impacting legal outcomes and highlighting the need for thorough investigations in sensitive cases involving minors.
