In a landmark ruling, Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a school teacher convicted of sexual harassment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. The case, which originated in Tamil Nadu, featured charges against a male teacher who gave flowers and chocolates to a minor female girl on Valentine's Day in 2018.
The incident took place in a classroom in front of other students, and the accused instructor allegedly pressured the girl to accept the gifts despite her objections. Another teacher reportedly intervened, pressing the girl to connect with the accused or face serious penalties.
Following their convictions in 2021, the two instructors were sentenced to three years of harsh imprisonment under Section 12 of the POCSO Act for the main accused and two years of rigorous imprisonment for the second teacher under Section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
But the panel of the Supreme Court, which included Justices Dipankar Datta, K. V. Viswanathan, and Sandeep Mehta, pointed out serious flaws in the evidence that was used in the trial. The court stressed the importance of closely examining situations involving claims of sexual misconduct, especially when the accused person's livelihood and reputation are in jeopardy.
The court emphasized the possible effects of false accusations on the accused teacher's life and profession while also appreciating the gravity of the allegations. It stressed that years of service are necessary to build a reputation and that unfounded accusations might permanently damage someone's chances for the future.
The integrity of the prosecution's case was called into question by the bench due to inconsistencies and contradictions in witness testimony. It stated that there was not enough evidence to support a conviction, which is why the verdicts were overturned.
The court's decision demonstrates its dedication to preserving the values of justice and making sure that people aren't wrongfully denied their freedom due to little or faulty evidence. It emphasizes the value of following the law and maintaining the innocence of the accused until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
With a focus on protecting people's rights to personal liberty and dignity, the court has ordered the immediate release of both accused teachers from detention in the wake of the verdict.
(Input from various resources)
(Rehash/Susmita Bhandary/MSM)
