‘Highly improbable', HC junks Pocso case against pastor
According to the prosecution, the pastor allegedly subjected a 10-year-old neighbouring girl to aggravated penetrative sexual assault on Oct 18, 2014, and over the preceding year while residing with his family in a rented house in Idukki. The victim stated that when she visited the pastor's home to play with his child, he took her to his bedroom and sexually assaulted her. She later reported the incident to a junior public health nurse at her school, leading to the registration of the crime and his subsequent arrest.
The trial court convicted him, imposing double life imprisonment and a fine, which prompted him to move HC.
The pastor chose to argue his own case despite HC cautioning him about the seriousness and legal complexities involved. In his defence, the pastor claimed he was falsely implicated due to prior animosity, alleging that the victim had stolen Rs 100 from his purse to buy ice cream. He further contended that the medical report did not indicate any signs of penetrative sexual assault.
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Additionally, he argued that the victim had been coached on how to present evidence in court.
Upon reviewing the records, HC found inconsistencies between the victim's testimony and the medical evidence, ruling that her account could not serve as a valid basis for conviction. The court also deemed her version 'highly improbable and unbelievable'. Consequently, the pastor was acquitted.
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