The Bombay High Court has quashed a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a 52-year-old businessman from Pune after the minor complainant stated before the court that the allegations arose from a misunderstanding. While setting aside the criminal proceedings, the court imposed a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh on the accused and issued an unusual direction that the amount be used to purchase a laptop for the girl to support her education.
Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe directed the High Court Registry to utilise the deposited amount to procure the latest version of a MacBook or another suitable laptop, depending on the girl’s academic requirements and personal preference. The court emphasised that the device should assist her in continuing her studies, and any remaining funds after the purchase should be transferred to the High Court Employees Medical Welfare Fund.
The case originated from allegations that the girl’s maternal uncle had behaved inappropriately with her while driving her to school during her Class 11 examinations, including sending repeated messages and allegedly making personal advances. The complaint further claimed that during a later outing, he expressed affection, asked for a kiss and touched her inappropriately, prompting the girl to confide in a school counsellor and later inform her grandmother, which led to the registration of an FIR.
During the hearing, however, the girl and her parents informed the court that the complaint had resulted from a misunderstanding and that the family had since reconciled. They expressed their unwillingness to continue with the criminal proceedings. The defence argued that continuing the prosecution would serve no purpose, a position acknowledged by the prosecution as well, which nevertheless requested that costs be imposed considering the circumstances under which the case had been initiated.
Accepting these submissions, the court concluded that continuation of the trial was unnecessary and formally quashed the case, while balancing the outcome by directing financial compensation to be used for the minor’s educational benefit.
