In a shockingly bizarre decision, the Allahabad High Court has come out to say that touching a minor’s breasts while breaking their pyjama string would not be classified as an attempt to rape.
Hearing the plea of Pawan and Akash, the two men accused of trying to rape a minor by touching her breasts and breaking her pyjama string, the HC observed that they could not be tried for rape due to a lack of evidence shedding light on their motives.
The two accused will now instead face the lesser charge of assault with an attempt to disrobe, as well as aggravated sexual assault under the POCSO Act.
This decision of the HC is receiving criticism from all directions. People are shocked to see such a serious crime taken so lightly.
Many are questioning the court’s ‘lack of evidence’ narrative, demanding to know what else would both the men have done if not stopped by witnesses after touching the minor’s breasts, breaking her pyjama string and dragging her beneath the culvert.
While the justice system is there to protect the interests of both parties, it looks to be leaning towards one side in this case, even after so many minors being raped in a similar manner in our country.
We need to make it our collective responsibility to ensure that these kinds of elements remain as far as possible from mainstream society so that at least children can freely roam in society and enjoy their childhood.
