Alleged Serial Offender Acquitted, Victim Awarded Compensation

On June 13, 2025, a special Pocso court in Mumbai acquitted alleged serial sex offender Rehan Qureshi of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl in 2017, yet simultaneously recommended compensation for the child victim. The court acknowledged that while the assault was proven, the prosecution failed to conclusively link Qureshi to the crime.

Qureshi, who faced charges in 22 similar Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act cases, was acquitted in this particular case primarily due to a flawed identification parade. Out of the 22 cases across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane, Qureshi has now been acquitted in three, with 19 more cases still pending.

In the 2017 incident, the child was reportedly lured away from her school by a bearded man, later identified as the accused, on the pretext of delivering a geyser. He allegedly took her to multiple buildings before assaulting her on a terrace staircase. Despite the victim's clear and convincing testimony, the judge found the link between the crime and Qureshi to be based on flawed identification procedures, leading to the acquittal.