**Title:** Mumbai Court Acquits 70-Year-Old Man in Pocso Case
**Meta Description:** A Mumbai court acquitted a 70-year-old man of Pocso charges related to stalking a minor, citing discrepancies in the prosecution’s case.
**URL Slug:** mumbai-court-acquits-70-year-old-pocso-case
**Headline:** Mumbai Sessions Court Acquits 70-Year-Old Man of Pocso Charges Involving Minor
In a significant ruling, a Mumbai sessions court has acquitted a 70-year-old man of charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, related to allegations of stalking a nine-year-old girl. The accused, who lives in the same building as the minor, faced accusations stemming from incidents that occurred in January 2018.
The prosecution claimed that the accused invited the girl to his home shortly after his granddaughter’s birthday, where he allegedly made her sit on his lap and fed her cake. It was reported that he then instructed her to feed him the cake, after which he inappropriately touched her. The situation escalated when a friend of the girl and her father arrived, prompting the accused to let her leave.
Following this incident, the prosecution alleged that the accused began stalking the girl, making inappropriate gestures and winking at her. The minor’s father confronted the accused after the girl expressed her distress about the ongoing behavior, leading to a police complaint filed by the girl’s mother and the subsequent arrest of the accused.
However, during the trial, Special Judge Satyanarayan R Navander identified several inconsistencies in the testimonies. The minor was unable to recall specific details about the incident, such as the exact date or month, and her mother provided conflicting information regarding the cake incident. The judge emphasized the need for caution when evaluating the testimonies of child witnesses, especially when significant time has elapsed since the alleged events.
The judge also noted the accused’s health issues, including poor vision and previous eye surgeries, which could impact his ability to engage in the alleged behavior. Furthermore, the court highlighted the nine-month delay between the initial incident and the filing of the FIR, raising questions about the credibility of the claims.
In conclusion, the court found that the prosecution had not sufficiently substantiated its case, particularly due to the lack of key witness testimonies and the inconsistencies in the accounts provided. The ruling underscores the complexities involved in cases under the Pocso Act and the importance of thorough evidence evaluation.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What was the outcome of the Pocso case against the 70-year-old man?**
A: The Mumbai sessions court acquitted the man of all charges, citing discrepancies in the prosecution’s evidence and testimonies.