Patna High Court Acquits Teacher 14 Years After Conviction, Cites Failure to Prove Charges

The Patna High Court acquitted a schoolteacher in a 14-year-old rape case, holding that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Allowing a criminal appeal filed in 2014, the Court set aside the 2013 trial court judgment that had sentenced the teacher to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment. The appellant had already completed his sentence during the pendency of the appeal.

The Court noted gaps in the prosecution’s case, including delay in lodging the FIR, and extended the benefit of doubt to the accused.

The appeal was accordingly allowed.