The Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) in Panjim has acquitted an accused in a rape case, citing lack of evidence and the non-examination of key witnesses. The accused was granted the benefit of doubt.
According to the prosecution, the incidents allegedly took place between August 2011 and July 2014. The accused reportedly lured a minor girl under the pretext of marriage, bringing her to a village in Goa and committing repeated sexual assaults during visits from abroad. It was further claimed that on July 14, 2014, he uploaded nude photographs of the girl engaged in sexually explicit acts on Facebook.
The case was formally registered on August 5, 2014. The accused was arrested at Dabolim International Airport on November 29, 2016, and released on bail in December 2016.
During the hearings, defence counsel Adv. Sahil Sardessai argued that no concrete evidence had been produced to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt and highlighted that the complainant and several key witnesses, including doctors and investigating officers, were not examined.
Presiding Judge Durga V Madkaikar noted that the absence of sufficient evidence left doubts about the accused’s involvement, leading to his acquittal.