As of April 3, 2025, there are no new reports of individuals being acquitted in POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases after spending five years in jail. However, in recent years, several such cases have been reported:
- Dehradun Case (August 2024): A 42-year-old man was acquitted after spending five years in jail, following false rape allegations made by his 15-year-old daughter. The court found that the accusations were instigated by the daughter’s boyfriend due to the father’s objections to their relationship.
- Mumbai Case (July 2022): A 48-year-old man from Andheri was acquitted after five years in jail. He was accused of sexually assaulting his neighbor’s 6-year-old daughter, but the court determined that his actions lacked sexual intent.
- Mumbai Trio Acquittal (February 2023): Three men were acquitted after spending five and a half years behind bars in a gang rape case involving a minor girl.
These cases highlight the complexities and challenges within the judicial process concerning POCSO allegations.
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