RAVINDRA MAITHANI
Anuj – Appellant
Versus
State of Uttarakhand – Respondent
JUDGMENT :
1. Applicant Anuj is in judicial custody in Case Crime No.219 of 2021, under Sections 363, 366-A, 376 (2) (n) of IPC and 5(1)/6 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (“the Act”), Police Station Bhagwanpur, District Haridwar. He has sought his release on bail.
2. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record.
3. According to the FIR lodged by the mother of the victim, on 10.03.2021, the victim aged about 17 years was enticed by the applicant. After trial, charge-sheet has been submitted and the trial is under way and the witnesses have also been examined.
4. Learned counsel for the applicant would submit that the relationship were consensual; the victim is not a child; in her Aadhar Card, her date of birth is recorded as 07.10.2002 and in the Family Register, the date of birth is recorded as 06.01.2002. The victim has been working in a factory and undoubtedly, the factory employed a person only above 18 years of age. This fact has been admitted by the victim and her mother who had already been examined at trial. The victim has also stated about the Aadhar Card, which is on record. She has not been categorical as to whether her date of bir
The significance of the victim's consent in the alleged offense is determined by her age, as recorded in official documents such as the School Register.
Aadhaar card is not recognized by the JJ Act 2015 as a document of proof of date of birth of an accused under said Act.
The prosecution must prove the victim's age beyond reasonable doubt; failure to do so results in acquittal of charges related to kidnapping and sexual assault.
The determination of a victim's age, especially in cases involving minors, relies on the presumption of minority based on credible evidence such as school records and medical examination. The evident....
The court emphasized the need for conclusive evidence for age determination in sexual offences, preferring statutory documents over inconsistent records, thereby reinforcing the accused's benefit of ....
The prosecution must prove the age of the victim and consent in cases involving charges under the POCSO Act. Failure to establish these crucial elements can lead to acquittal.
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