The Bombay High Court, in an important ruling, has observed that a school leaving certificate cannot be treated as conclusive proof of age.
Relying on this observation, the court granted bail to an accused in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The case pertains to a 25-year-old man accused of raping a 15-year-old girl. However, the court noted that the possibility of a consensual romantic relationship between the two cannot be ruled out.
Justice R. M. Joshi, hearing the matter as a single-judge bench, granted bail to the accused.
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly took the victim to his house on the pretext of introducing her to his sister. It is alleged that he confined her in a flat and sexually assaulted her. Following the victim’s statement, the accused underwent a medical examination.
The accused, identified as Jayesh Pardhi, was arrested on August 10, 2022, and had been in custody since then. He approached the High Court seeking bail through his lawyer, Arjun Kadam.
The case was registered under the POCSO Act at Waliv Police Station in Vasai Road. The bail plea was heard by Justice R. M. Joshi’s bench.
Also Read: Vidyavihar Crash Victim’s Widow Seeks Cancellation Of Teen Driver’s Bail