A court in Thane, Maharashtra, has acquitted a man accused of raping and impregnating his sister-in-law, citing insufficient evidence and contradictions in the prosecution's case. The sessions court delivered the verdict on March 13, clearing the 32-year-old man of charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, as the victim was a minor at the time of the alleged incidents.
Case Details
The accused, a resident of Thane, was arrested in 2020 after his sister-in-law, then 17, accused him of repeatedly raping her over several months, resulting in a pregnancy. The victim gave birth to a child in 2021, and DNA tests confirmed the accused as the biological father. However, during the trial, the victim changed her statements multiple times, initially claiming the accused had forced himself on her, but later stating that the relationship was consensual.
Court's Observations
Judge S. B. Deshmukh noted that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court pointed out that the victim's testimony was riddled with inconsistencies and that she had admitted in cross-examination that she had a consensual relationship with the accused. The judge also observed that the medical evidence did not corroborate the allegations of rape, as there were no signs of physical force or struggle.
Furthermore, the court found that the delay in filing the FIR raised suspicions about the veracity of the complaint. The victim had not reported the alleged incidents for several months, and her family had initially attempted to settle the matter out of court. The judge concluded that the prosecution had not presented enough credible evidence to convict the accused.
Legal Implications
This acquittal highlights the challenges in prosecuting sexual assault cases where the victim's testimony is inconsistent. Legal experts emphasize that while the law provides for stringent punishments for rape, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. In cases where the victim recants or contradicts her own statements, securing a conviction becomes difficult.
The accused, who had been in custody since 2020, was released after the verdict. His lawyer welcomed the decision, stating that the court had correctly applied the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'. The victim's family has not announced any plans to appeal the verdict.
