Thane court acquits man of rape charge

A 24-year-old man from Ganeshnagar here has been acquitted of the charge of raping a minor girl by a district court for want of sufficient evidence.
Additional Sessions Judge and Special Judge (POCSO) A S Bhaisare, in his recent order, ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges under section 376 (rape), IPC and section 3 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the accused, Dilip Thakur.
Additional Public Prosecutor Shilpa Talhar told the court that Thakur was in a relationship with the 14-year-old girl and that the two used to visit each other's house.

The court was told that Thakur had called the victim at his house and allegedly raped her on the assurance of marrying her. The victim had not narrated her ordeal to anyone out of fear. After 15 days, the accused had allegedly raped her again, the court was informed.
In January 2014, the victim started complaining of a stomach pain, following which she was examined by a doctor, who found her to be pregnant, the court was told.
Following a complaint, a case was registered and Thakur was arrested.

Defence counsel Nana Mote had contested the claim and denied Thakur's involvement in the offence.

The judge, in his order, said, "The accused was residing in the vicinity of the victim's house. There was a love affair between them. They used to visit each other. On the call of the accused, the victim herself went to him. The accused had committed sexual intercourse with her at his house. Therefore, it can be said that it was consensual and the victim was aware of the consequences of her own act."
"Having considered the facts and circumstances of the matter, evidence on record and discussed reasons, in my view, it can be held that the prosecution failed to prove the alleged offence beyond all reasonable doubts," the judge noted and acquitted Thakur.