Image used for representational purpose only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto A Thane court has acquitted a 53-year-old man of charges of raping a minor girl, ruling that the prosecution’s evidence was not “cogent and clinching” and questioning the victim’s claim of recording the act on her phone. Special Judge Premal S Vithalani (for POCSO Act cases), in the order on April 9, also highlighted contradictions in the victim’s testimony. The prosecution alleged that between December 2022 and January 2023, the man, a tailor by profession and neighbour of the 17-year-old victim in Thane city, raped her on multiple occasions after obtaining her house keys from her mother. Published – April 15, 2026 12:45 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Attorney for suspect in attack at Sam Altman’s home says he was in midst of ’mental health crisis’ Review | Yang Shuang-zi’s Taiwan Travelogue, shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize