A special court in Thane, Maharashtra, has acquitted a 42-year-old tennis coach accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old girl, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The verdict was delivered on July 11 by Additional Sessions Judge S. D. Tawshikar, who presided over the case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Case Background
The matter came to light in October 2023 when the minor complained of abdominal pain. Medical scans revealed she was seven weeks pregnant, leading to a medical termination of the pregnancy. The girl's mother subsequently filed a complaint, alleging that the coach had been sexually assaulting her daughter for over a year. The accused was arrested and charged under the POCSO Act and Indian Penal Code sections for rape.
Prosecution's Evidence
The prosecution presented the victim's testimony, medical reports, and DNA evidence linking the accused to the pregnancy. However, the defense argued that the evidence was circumstantial and that the victim's statements were inconsistent. The court noted that the DNA report could not conclusively link the accused, as the sample collected from the fetus was contaminated. Additionally, the victim's mother admitted in cross-examination that she had not witnessed any assault.
Court's Observations
Judge Tawshikar observed that the prosecution failed to establish the chain of events and that the victim's testimony lacked corroboration on key points. The court stated, "The prosecution has not been able to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The accused is entitled to the benefit of the doubt." The judge also noted that the delay in filing the complaint—over a year after the alleged incidents—raised questions about the veracity of the claims.
Reactions and Implications
The acquittal has sparked debate about the handling of POCSO cases and the burden of proof. Legal experts say the verdict underscores the need for meticulous evidence collection in sexual assault cases involving minors. The accused's lawyer, advocate Rizwan Merchant, welcomed the judgment, stating, "The truth has prevailed." The victim's family has not yet commented on the verdict.
