Court in Thane grants bail to POCSO accused citing evidence of 'love affair'; calls detention unnecessary

A special POCSO court in Thane granted bail on Monday to a 21-year-old man arrested last December for allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl, reported TOI.

Special Judge D S Deshmukh reasoned that the girl appeared to have been in a consensual sexual relationship and seemed "mature enough to understand the consequences of the act."

The accused faced charges under the BNS and POCSO Act.

According to the report, Judge Deshmukh acknowledged the "serious nature" of the allegations but noted evidence of a "love affair" between the two.

The prosecution's case began after the girl's father reported her missing. Police located her with the man in Bhiwandi's Wada area, where she reportedly stated they were in a relationship and had engaged in sexual activity from December 25-28, 2024.

The court concluded that further detention was unnecessary as the investigation was complete and the chargesheet filed.

Moreover, TOI further reported that Judge Deshmukh cited several legal precedents while granting bail.

The ruling highlights the complexities in cases involving minors and alleged consent under the stringent POCSO Act.

The court's emphasis on the girl's perceived maturity and the apparent consensual nature of the relationship formed the basis for granting bail despite the serious charges.