Supreme Court Acquits Man In POCSO Case Over Victim's Failure To Identify Him In Court, Unex…

The core issue is whether the prosecution proved the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt, specifically regarding the victim's failure to identify him in court and the delay in lodging the FIR.

Who it concerns: Petitioner/Appellant: Charming Rupon; Respondent: State of Meghalaya; Bench: Justice Mehta.

What the court decided

• The Court granted leave to appeal.
• The Court noted the principle that the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
• The Court recorded the facts of the case, including the conviction by the Special Judge (POCSO) and the dismissal of the appeal by the High Court of Meghalaya.
• The Court detailed the submissions of the appellant regarding the unexplained delay in the FIR, the failure of witnesses to identify the accused, and the lack of forensic evidence.
• The Court detailed the submissions of the respondent regarding the credibility of Section 164 CrPC statements and the presumption under Section 106 of the Indian Evidence Act.

Also in the document

• The provided text is truncated and ends in the middle of the respondent's arguments; it does not contain the final judgment, acquittal, or specific operative orders of the Supreme Court.
• The title indicates the Supreme Court acquitted the man, but the provided document text only covers the facts and submissions, not the final decision.
• The case involves a victim with 40% intellectual disability.
• The FIR was lodged approximately 10 days after the alleged incident.