Sanitary inspector in Thane acquitted of POCSO charges after complainant retracts statement

THANE: A 51-year-old sanitary inspector with a municipal corporation has been acquitted of all charges under the POCSO Act, as well as allegations of sexually assaulting a minor, after the complainant admitted to filing the case in a fit of anger.
The Special Court passed the acquittal after both key witnesses the complainant and her 17-year-old daughter retracted their earlier statements and failed to support the prosecution's case during the trial. The judge cited the complete lack of substantial and corroborative evidence as the primary reason for the acquittal.
According to the prosecution, the incident dates back to June 2022, when the accused civil official was alleged to have made sexual advances towards a female sweeper employed by the corporation and her teenage daughter.
The complaint claimed that, under the pretext of offering a job to the daughter's husband, the accused called the girl to his office, made inappropriate physical contact, and demanded sexual favours. He was also accused of defaming the woman in her matrimonial home.
However, the case fell apart when the complainant admitted during cross-examination that the accusations were false and made out of anger over her removal from work. She denied all previous claims, including being called to the official’s office, any inappropriate contact, or demand for sexual favours.
In the judgment, the Special Judge noted that the prosecution witnesses did not support the allegations and had, in fact, cleared the accused of all wrongdoing. The judge also observed that the necessary facts to invoke provisions of the POCSO Act were not proven, citing a previous ruling by the Bombay High Court.
As a result, all charges under the POCSO Act and Indian Penal Code sections related to sexual harassment, defamation, and assault with intent to outrage modesty were dismissed. The official has been fully acquitted after nearly two years of legal proceedings.