Home / Crime and Justice / Taxi Driver Convicted for Child Procurement, Acquitted of Rape
Taxi Driver Convicted for Child Procurement, Acquitted of Rape
20 Dec
Summary
- Taxi driver convicted for procuring a minor, imprisoned for nearly four years.
- Court found evidence insufficient for rape, citing medical exam contradictions.
- Child's testimony questioned due to alleged coaching by family and advocate.
A taxi driver, aged 57, has been convicted for procuring a minor girl, though acquitted of more serious rape and aggravated sexual assault charges. He has been in custody for nearly four years and was sentenced to the period already served, along with a Rs 5,000 fine. The court determined that while the accused lured the child with wrongful intent, the prosecution failed to prove the charges of penetrative sexual assault.
The incident occurred on January 3, 2022, when the accused allegedly enticed the child and took her to an isolated location. The prosecution's case faced challenges due to inconsistencies. A medical examination the day after the alleged incident showed only old, healed hymenal tears, contradicting the prosecution's timeline and suggesting they occurred more than 48 hours prior.
Further undermining the prosecution, the court noted that the child did not immediately report any assault, and her eventual disclosure came the next day. Concerns about coaching were raised as the child admitted to testifying based on information from her mother and advocate. Forensic analysis of evidence also yielded no biological traces linking the accused to penetrative assault.
