Senior Police Officer Acquitted in Indecent Assault Case as Court Cites Doubt

A senior police officer accused of indecently assaulting a policewoman has been found not guilty by the court. Magistrate Yogesh Prasad delivered the ruling, stating that the evidence presented did not support the prosecution’s claims regarding incidents that allegedly took place in 2017 and 2018.

During the trial, it was claimed that the officer, who led the Police Band, had inappropriately hugged and kissed the complainant on two separate occasions while she was under his supervision. The first incident was reported to have occurred in June 2017, where he allegedly embraced her tightly and kissed her cheek inside the band’s office. The second incident was said to have taken place in March 2018, involving a similar act.

The complainant, who ultimately reported the incidents in 2021, faced scrutiny during cross-examination regarding the significant delay in coming forward. She maintained that there was no organized effort to remove the officer from his position, despite suggestions to the contrary.

In his verdict, Mr. Prasad highlighted the lack of a reasonable explanation for the delay in reporting the incidents, which he believed undermined the credibility of the complainant’s testimony. Additionally, the Magistrate pointed out that the complainant did not appear to be under any substantial pressure from the officer, which might have contributed to her hesitance in reporting the alleged misconduct.

While the court did not require corroborative evidence to establish guilt, Mr. Prasad remarked that testimony from other potential complainants might have bolstered the prosecution’s case. Observations of the complainant’s demeanor during cross-examination also raised concerns, as she seemed evasive at times, further impacting her reliability as a witness.

Ultimately, the court concluded that there were lingering doubts regarding the prosecution’s case, leading to the acquittal of the accused officer. This ruling underscores the complexity of legal proceedings in cases of alleged misconduct, where the burden of proof must be met beyond reasonable doubt.