A Jammu fast-track court on Saturday acquitted a man who had spent more than one-and-a-half years in jail in what has been described as a fabricated rape case and ordered action against the complainants. The court, while quashing the allegations against the accused, observed that there was no credible evidence on record to prove that the alleged offence had taken place.
The judgement was delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Amarjeet Singh Langeh, who held that the prosecution’s story was “highly improbable” and unsupported by facts.
The accused had spent 19 months in jail before being set free by the court on Saturday from all charges.
The presiding judge questioned the prosecutor on the lack of corroborative medical evidence, the unexplained delay in lodging the FIR, and the failure of investigators to gather essential material evidence in the case.
The court noted that despite repeated allegations of sexual assault, the medical examination conducted shortly after registration of the case revealed no signs of force, injury, or recent sexual activity.
It further observed that crucial evidence, including CCTV footage, was not properly analysed, key witnesses were not examined, and the probe appeared to have not been conducted in a free and fair manner.
Judge Langeh, noting these serious shortcomings, directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu, to initiate a departmental inquiry against the Investigating Officer (IO) and the then Station House Officer (SHO) involved in the case.
The court also instructed the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu, to begin legal proceedings against the complainant for allegedly furnishing false information.
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