Punjab resident acquitted in three-year-old rape case

A 22-year-old youth from Punjab, Manjot Bawa alias Shagun, was acquitted by Fast Track Court Special Judge in Chandigarh in a three-year-old rape case. The prosecution failed to prove the charges against him.

The case was registered on August 3, 2021, under Sections 376, 354, 506, 384, and 34 of the IPC. The complainant alleged that she met the accused through Instagram, and they started a relationship. She claimed that the accused made false promises to marry her, demanded photos and videos, and later blackmailed her using those materials. The accused also allegedly demanded money from her and, along with his friends, tried to rape her at her house, beating her mother and brother. Additionally, the accused created a fake Instagram account and made her private photos and videos public.

During the investigation, the accused was arrested, and charges were framed against him. However, the prosecutrix did not support the prosecution’s case, and there was no other evidence to substantiate the claims. While the public prosecutor argued that the case was proven beyond doubt, the defence counsel, SS Rana, maintained that the accused was falsely implicated.

After hearing the arguments, Special Judge Dr Yashika acquitted the accused of all charges.