Karnataka High Court Upholds Father’s Acquittal in Minor Child Sexual Assault (POCSO) Case

The Karnataka High Court upheld a trial court’s acquittal of a man accused of sexually assaulting his minor daughter under the POCSO Act, based on a complaint by his wife.

The Court noted inconsistencies in the child’s statements and emphasized the need for credible, cogent evidence in cases involving serious allegations.

The court observed that the testimony of a child witness, though important, must be trustworthy and unambiguous. The Court reiterated that suspicion cannot replace proof, and the benefit of doubt must go to the accused.

The court dismissed the appeal filed by the prosecution, affirming that the acquittal was legally justified based on the evidence.