SHILLONG: The acquittal of a stepfather, who raped a minor girl who later became pregnant, will be challenged in the court.
The CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said on Wednesday that the acquittal by the POCSO court in Shillong will be challenged.
An FIR regarding the crime was filed on February 5, 2013 by the father of the girl stating that his 13-year-old daughter was raped by the stepfather many times and she was found to be pregnant.
The case was charge sheeted and charges were framed against the accused under various provisions of POCSO Act.
However, out of the many witnesses, the victim, mother, sister and the father turned hostile whereas the aunt of the victim stood firm.
On April 11, 2014, when the record was put up in the POCSO court, it was mentioned that the victim, mother and the accused refused to cooperate with the investigation and did not want to go for DNA test as per the report of the Investigation Officer on February 28, 2014.
Besides, the mother, the victim and the accused also appeared at Pynursla police station and reiterated that they would not like to go for DNA test and did not want to pursue the case.
Later, during the hearing, the court acquitted the accused identified as Woodland Khongthiem on October 31 this year.
