Ex-sarpanch acquitted in POCSO case
Babu Singh Lodhi, in his appeal against a sessions court order, said the medical report of the girl was negative, and his political rival Rajendra Singh was the one who lodged an FIR against him.
During hearing of the petition, a bench of justices Vivek Agarwal and AK Singh found that both Lodhi and Rajendra Singh had been sarpanch of Patharia in Damoh district, and they were political rivals.
The girl's mother admitted in the court that Rajendra Singh was the one who took them to the police station to lodge the complaint.
The minor girl also told the court that she had told Rajendra Singh about the incident first. She had gone to school after the incident and Rajendra Singh, who used to visit her home, brought her back from the school.
After coming back home, she took a bath and then went to the police station to lodge the report with Rajendra Singh. The medical report of the girl was also negative.
In view of the circumstances of the case, the court set aside the order of the trial court.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Bhopal/Jabalpur: The MP high court has acquitted a former sarpanch who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2024 under the POCSO Act for allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl, ruling that the case appeared to have been fabricated by a political rival.
Babu Singh Lodhi, in his appeal against a sessions court order, said the medical report of the girl was negative, and his political rival Rajendra Singh was the one who lodged an FIR against him.
During hearing of the petition, a bench of justices Vivek Agarwal and AK Singh found that both Lodhi and Rajendra Singh had been sarpanch of Patharia in Damoh district, and they were political rivals.
The girl's mother admitted in the court that Rajendra Singh was the one who took them to the police station to lodge the complaint. The minor girl also told the court that she had told Rajendra Singh about the incident first.
She had gone to school after the incident and Rajendra Singh, who used to visit her home, brought her back from the school.
After coming back home, she took a bath and then went to the police station to lodge the report with Rajendra Singh. The medical report of the girl was also negative.
In view of the circumstances of the case, the court set aside the order of the trial court.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
5 minutes ago
- The Hindu
32-year-old man sentenced to seven years rigorous imprisonment under POCSO Act in Coimbatore
A 32-year-old man from Ukkadam in Coimbatore city has been sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment by a special POCSO court. M. Rizwan, a resident of Al Ameen Colony in Ukkadam, was arrested in 2021 by the Race Course police in connection with a complaint filed at the All-Woman Police Station (West). The case was registered under Sections 7 read with 8 of the POCSO Act and Section 506(ii) of the Indian Penal Code. On Friday, the POCSO Special Court, presided over by Judge T. Bagavathiammal, convicted Rizwan under the POCSO Act and sentenced him to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of ₹5,000. Rizwan had earlier evaded custody after appearing for trial. When police attempted to detain him, he allegedly threatened self-harm, resulting in a separate case for preventing public servants from discharging their duty. He was later arrested on July 13, 2025 and remanded.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Muizzu's U-turn: India in, China out? Maldives seemingly pivots again as PM Modi offers big incentives
NEW DELHI: Maldives, which has had a pro-China tilt in the past, seems to be warming up to India with President Mohamed Muizzu praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "wonderful person". Coming from someone who rose to power on an "India Out" campaign, followed by his cabinet colleagues making derogatory remarks against PM Modi, shows a significant shift in the geopolitical dynamics of the Global South. The two leaders held talks on Friday to repair bilateral ties as the also discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, defence, and infrastructure. Strategic U-turn After coming to power by promising to reduce Indian influence and build closer ties with China—including a first state visit to Beijing and agreements for Chinese military assistance—Muizzu now calls India a "trusted friend" and rolled out the red carpet for PM Modi, breaking with protocol to personally receive him at the airport. "He is a wonderful person who is very fond of building relationships between India's neighbours. The Maldives and India have a very good relationship that goes back centuries, and with PM Modi's leadership, cooperation between the two governments is going to be even more prosperous in the days ahead," he said on the last day of PM Modi's trip. What could be the reasons behind change in stance? The Maldivian economy is under severe stress with a substantial budget deficit and dwindling foreign reserves, and the support offered by India is pivotal for Muizzu's government to stabilize finances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No One Knew About Her Bags—Now They're Going Viral Handmakers Report Read Now Although Maldives still owes China large debts, New Delhi has emerged as a key partner to avoid potential economic default. During PM Modi's visit, India announced a fresh $ 565 million line of credit (LoC) for the Indian Ocean neighbour and signed an agreement to reduce its annual debt repayment burden by 40%. 'To give a new impetus to our development partnership, we have decided to provide a line of credit of $ 565 million, or approximately Rs 5,000 crore, to Maldives. It will be used for projects related to infrastructure development in line with the priorities of the people of Maldives,' PM Modi said, as he hailed Maldives as a "true friend". India's sustained efforts However, this diplomatic shift hasn't happened overnight, and it certainly can't be attributed to PM Modi's visit alone. Amid early concerns about losing a key ally in the region, India chose restraint over rhetoric. New Delhi maintained steady engagement, with PM Modi being the first world leader to congratulate Muizzu after his election victory. This gesture, combined with consistent diplomatic outreach and sustained economic support, laid the groundwork for rebuilding trust. Back in 2019, India had extended an $800 million Line of Credit (LoC) to the Maldives during the tenure of the pro-India Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government. What PM Modi's trip has done, is to bring India's efforts to light, with Muizzu acknowledging it. "We all have seen how India has helped the Maldives in the past, and nobody will doubt how India will be a very crucial partner going forward," he said. "India is one of the major tourism countries that helps the Maldives with tourism. With PM Modi's visit, it is going to increase a lot. I am sure that people-to-people exchange between the two countries will greatly boost because of this visit," he added. Analysts note that Muizzu's pivot is a pragmatic recognition of Maldives' geographic and economic realities—India remains indispensable for trade, connectivity, and tourism. While China's support remains, India's proximity and willingness to provide urgent financial and developmental assistance have proved decisive in influencing Muizzu's recalibration
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Team Amritpal to challenge MP's continued detention under NSA in SC
Amritsar: Team Amritpal has decided to challenge the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) against Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh for the third time in the Supreme Court . The team also expressed resentment over Amritpal's continued solitary confinement in Assam's Dibrugarh Jail, even as nine other persons who were detained alongside Amritpal at the high-security prison had already been shifted to Punjab. Advocate Imaan Singh Khara, legal counsel for Amritpal Singh, informed that he recently met the Lok Sabha member from Khadoor Sahib at Dibrugarh Jail and following the meeting, they have decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution seeking protection of Amritpal Singh's fundamental right to personal liberty and quashing of the third NSA order imposed on him. Amritpal Singh's detention under the NSA was extended for the third time on April 23. Imaan Singh also lamented that Amritpal Singh remained in solitary confinement, even as the other detainees had been transferred to different jails in Punjab. Out of the other nine detainees, four have been transferred to Bathinda Jail, three to Patiala Jail, and one each to Amritsar and Ropar jails, he said. It all began in Feb 2023, when Waris Punjab De activists, led by Amritpal Singh, stormed Ajnala police station under the cover of Guru Granth Sahib demanding the release of their associate Lovepreet Singh Toofan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Are You From Bangladesh? You Might Qualify For AI Courses Artificial Intelligence Course | Search Ad Undo During the incident, which was widely described as an attack on the state, eight police personnel, including a deputy superintendent of police were injured. Such was the attack that the DSP required 18 stitches. In response, the police on March 18, 2023, launched an operation to apprehend Amritpal and after a month-long manhunt, he was finally arrested on April 23, 2023, from Rode village in Moga district. A senior member of the Team Amritpal, meanwhile, informed that Amritpal had not only given consent to contest the ensuing Tarn Taran byelection under the banner of Akali Dal Waris Punjab Dae, but also called upon the people of the constituency to support the party candidate. Sources said the party was still considering Paramjit Kaur Khalra's name for the bypoll and was in touch with the rights activist. Paramjit Kaur, however, in a post on X, had denied contesting any election. "Very soon we will announce our candidate and begin campaigning," said the source. MSID:: 122922747 413 |
