A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Mumbai made headlines in July 2024, following the sentencing of a 19-year-old man to two years of rigorous imprisonment for molesting a 14-year-old girl. The court presided over by Judge Ashwini Lokhande ruled that the accused’s handholding and “I love you” declaration amounted to an outrage of the minor’s modesty, leading to the conviction.
However, the accused was acquitted of charges under the stringent POCSO Act. According to the prosecution, the case was filed in September 2019, when the victim’s mother lodged a complaint at the Sakinaka police station. The complaint stated that the minor had gone to a nearby shop to buy tea dust but returned home in tears. Upon inquiry, the girl revealed that the accused had taken her to a building’s first floor, held her hand, and declared his love for her.
During the trial, the prosecution presented four witnesses, including the victim and her mother, to establish the accused’s guilt. The defense claimed innocence, stating that the victim had an affair with the accused and had called him to meet on the day of the incident. However, the court rejected the defense’s argument, noting that if the victim was in a relationship with the accused, she would not have narrated the incident to her mother under fear.
Additionally, after the incident, the accused threatened the victim’s mother and urged her to “do whatever she wanted,” the judge observed. The evidence presented by the victim and her mother validated each other, with no material evidence presented to rebut their testimony. The court found the accused guilty of applying criminal force to the victim by holding her hand while she went to buy tea dust and ruled his words as an outrage of the minor’s modesty.
The case highlights the need for sensitivity in handling cases involving crimes against children. The POCSO Act, enacted in 2012, aims to safeguard minors from sexual offenses and address issues of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The Act sets stringent punishment for individuals found guilty of committing such offenses, emphasizing the state and society’s responsibility in protecting children’s rights.
The court ruling serves as a deterrent to perpetrators of such offenses against minors, emphasizing that such actions will have legal repercussions. With the continued vigilance of the judiciary and law enforcement, the safety and well-being of children will remain a top priority. The verdict emphasizes the importance of robust legal protection for minors against sexual offenses and underscores the judicial system’s resolve to provide justice and uphold the rule of law.
In conclusion, the Mumbai POCSO Act Case 2024 serves to strengthen the resolve of the legal system in protecting the rights of minors and penalizing offenders of sexual offenses against them. The verdict highlights the importance of addressing cases of child abuse with sensitivity and underscores the need for robust measures against such heinous crimes. The sentencing sends a strong message that sexual offenses against minors will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
