Sun Dec 07 11:26:45 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article version:

Summary:

A 56-year-old man, arrested in 2017 for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl with intellectual disabilities, has been acquitted by a special court in Mumbai. The court cited insufficient evidence and contradictions between the victim’s statement and other evidence, including medical reports. The court stated that the prosecution failed to prove the accused committed rape on the victim. The man had served eight years in prison.

News Article:

Mumbai Man Acquitted After Eight Years in Prison in Alleged POCSO Case

Mumbai, December 7, 2025 – A 56-year-old man was acquitted on November 28th by a special court in Mumbai, after spending eight years in prison following his arrest in 2017 on charges of sexual assault. The man was accused of assaulting a girl, who the prosecution stated was 17 years old at the time of the alleged incident and had moderate intellectual disability.

The special court, which handles cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), acquitted the accused citing “scanty evidence” presented by the prosecution. Judge N.D. Khose stated that the evidence did not prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge noted contradictions between the victim’s statement and other evidence, including medical findings.

According to the prosecution, the alleged incident took place on August 23, 2017, in the Kurar area of Malad (East). The accused, a neighbor of the victim, was accused of entering her house when she was alone, sexually assaulting her, and threatening her family. He was arrested the following day based on a police complaint filed by the girl’s mother and charged with rape under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and offences under the POCSO Act.

The court, however, found the victim’s testimony lacking in detail and noted that her evidence did not inspire confidence. The court highlighted that the medical evidence contradicted the victim’s account of the alleged assault.

“The prosecution has miserably failed to prove that the accused committed rape on [the] victim girl knowing that she was below 18 years of age,” Judge Khose stated in the ruling. The court ordered the man’s immediate release, provided he is not wanted in any other case.

Read More