Thane: A Thane court has acquitted a man accused of raping a girl alleged to be a minor, citing insufficient evidence to establish her age and observing that the relationship appeared to be “more or less consensual in nature.”

The prosecution failed to prove the allegations against the 22-year-old man beyond a reasonable doubt, special judge for POCSO Act cases, Ruby U Malvankar observed in the judgment on November 13.

The accused and the victim resided in the Bhayander area of Maharashtra’s Thane district. The man was arrested on May 19, 2020, following an FIR lodged on a complaint by the victim’s mother, alleging harassment, abusive calls, and threats by the accused.

He was charged under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) A

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