PANJIM: In a major setback to Goa government, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has quashed and set aside the order of Children’s Court sentencing a teacher with four years of rigorous imprisonment.

The Children’s Court, in August 2017 sentenced Kanhaiya Naik, to four years rigorous imprisonment for molesting a minor school girl in 2011. Naik had been facing charges of molestation and rape of a minor girl but was discharged of rape and abetment to suicide charges in 2016.

Based on a complaint filed by the parents of the girl, police had registered an offence against Naik for molesting and raping a minor. He was later arrested by Panjim Police.

After he was released on bail the girl had committed suicide in July 2012 and had died in hospital. In her dying declaration, the girl – who had burnt herself – told the magistrate that she took the extreme step fearing for her life as the accused was on bail. The government had also dismissed him from the job.

The girl was taking career guidance at Naik’s residence in Ribandar when he allegedly committed the offence.

Naik had challenged the Children’s Court order before the High Court, leading to his acquittal in the case.