Thane Court Acquits Man in 2021 Minor Molestation Case, Citing Lack of Criminal Intent

In a significant ruling that underscores the critical importance of proving criminal intent, a Thane Sessions Court has acquitted a 26-year-old man accused in a 2021 molestation case involving a minor. The verdict, delivered by Additional Sessions Judge AM Shende, highlighted the prosecution's failure to establish "mens rea" – the intent or knowledge of wrongdoing – a fundamental element required for conviction in such serious offences.

The case, registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, stemmed from an incident allegedly occurring on February 28, 2021. According to the prosecution, the accused entered the victim's home when she was alone, allegedly touched her inappropriately, and then fled. The minor victim reportedly informed her mother about the incident, leading to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR).

However, during the trial, the court meticulously examined the evidence and testimony presented. Judge Shende critically noted significant inconsistencies in the victim's statements. The court observed that the victim's account varied between her initial report to the police, her subsequent statement before the magistrate, and her testimony delivered in court. These discrepancies raised substantial doubts about the coherence and reliability of the prosecution's narrative.

Furthermore, the absence of any medical evidence indicating force, injury, or resistance from the victim played a crucial role in the court's decision. The prosecution could not provide concrete proof that the alleged act was committed with the specific intention to outrage the modesty of the minor. The judgment explicitly stated, "The prosecution failed to prove the mens rea on the part of the accused to outrage the modesty of the minor victim."

The concept of 'mens rea' is a cornerstone of criminal law, requiring that an accused person must have had a guilty mind or criminal intention at the time of committing the act for it to constitute a crime. Without this proven intent, even if certain actions occurred, the legal threshold for a conviction may not be met. In this particular case, the court concluded that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused possessed this crucial criminal intent.

This acquittal reaffirms the principle that mere allegations, no matter how grave, must be substantiated by concrete evidence and a clear demonstration of criminal intent. The Thane Sessions Court’s verdict serves as a powerful reminder of the rigorous standards of proof required in the justice system, particularly when dealing with serious charges that can have profound implications for all parties involved.