Here's a quick look at a recent court decision involving a complicated case under the POCSO Act. The main question was whether K Raj Kumar should be let off from serious charges. Spoiler: The court said no.
The case is about a complaint made on December 27, 2020. The complainant, a father of three, found out his 15-year-old daughter was taken by her cousin, Rajesh, who then married her. This led to a police case with several serious charges, including kidnapping and sexual assault, under both the IPC and the POCSO Act.
Smt. Chaganti Ramya, the sister of the main accused (Rajesh), got involved in the case. Her alleged wrongdoing? Giving a cell phone to her brother to talk to the victim. She argued she did nothing wrong and was only included because she is related to Rajesh.
"The petitioner claimed that since there are no reasons to charge her, she should be let off from the alleged crimes."
Justice Renuka Yara looked at the arguments. The court found that Ramya helped by allowing communication between her brother and the victim. Even though she claimed she was innocent, the evidence suggested otherwise.
The victim’s testimony described a troubling situation. She said that Ramya told her about Rajesh's feelings and plans. This led to a series of events where the victim was allegedly forced into a relationship, ending in a forced marriage.
The court decided that the evidence needed a full trial to figure out if Ramya was guilty or not. The judge decided there were enough reasons to continue with the charges against Ramya.
"Whether the petitioner is guilty or innocent can be determined after a full trial."
In the end, the court rejected Ramya's request to be let off. The case will continue in court to uncover the full story and ensure justice is served.
