A Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) in Goa has acquitted a man accused of sexually assaulting his 19-year-old daughter with special needs, citing insufficient evidence to support the prosecution's claims.
Presiding Judge Durga Madkaikar ruled that the prosecution failed to establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The court's decision was based on the medical examination, which revealed no signs of sexual assault—specifically, the hymen was intact, and no physical injuries were found on the victim’s body.
In her judgment, Judge Madkaikar highlighted significant discrepancies in the victim’s statements during cross-examination, which undermined the credibility of the allegations. Furthermore, the court noted that the prosecution's case was primarily based on the testimonies of investigating officers, while statements made by teachers were considered hearsay and inadmissible as concrete evidence.
Given the absence of substantial proof and the inconsistencies in witness statements, the court extended the benefit of the doubt to the accused and ordered his acquittal.