Wed Mar 19 14:31:59 UTC 2025: ## Mangaluru Court Acquits Man Accused of Raping Mentally Ill Woman
**Mangaluru, March 19, 2025** – A 43-year-old man, Suresh Prabhu, has been acquitted of rape charges by a Mangaluru court due to insufficient evidence proving the victim’s mental incapacity. The court cited the testimony of the examining doctor, who stated the victim was conscious during the examination and that the relationship appeared consensual.
Prabhu, a resident of Puttur taluk, was accused of raping a woman from the same taluk in a parking lot eight months prior to the filing of the complaint in May 2021. The victim’s mother filed the complaint with the Uppinangady police, alleging that Prabhu had threatened her daughter. A subsequent examination revealed the victim was pregnant, and she gave birth to a girl in July 2021. A DNA test confirmed Prabhu’s paternity.
Despite the DNA evidence and initial accusations, the judge, S.V. Kantharaju, noted that the prosecution failed to definitively prove the victim’s mental illness, which was central to the rape charge. The victim, her mother, and four relatives all gave testimony unfavorable to the prosecution. The judge concluded that a consensual relationship had occurred and acquitted Prabhu, stating that this was not a case warranting compensation for the victim. The ruling highlights the difficulties in prosecuting rape cases where the victim’s mental state is a key element.
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