Judgment
REPORTABLE
08/04/2026
1. The present appeal has been preferred by the State laying
challenge to the judgment dated 02.09.2023 passed by the
learned Special Judge, POCSO Act Cases No.1 Sri
Ganganagar in Sessions Case No.19/2022, whereby the
respondent-accused was acquitted of the charges under
Sections 354 and 354A(1)(i)(ii) of the Indian Penal Code and
Sections 7/8 and 9(f)/10 of the Protection of Children from
Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
2. The prosecution case, in brief, was that on 28.03.2022 the
prosecutrix ‘K’, a student of Government Senior Secondary
School No. 4, Sri Ganganagar, submitted a written complaint
at the Women Police Station alleging that her Mathematics
teacher, namely Ashok Bhatia, had inappropriately touched
her, attempted to embrace her and had also kissed her after
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[2026:RJ-JD:18323] (2 of 7) [CRLAS-644/2026]
calling her outside the classroom, causing discomfort and
fear. It was further alleged that similar conduct had occurred
even prior to the lockdown, though the child had remained
silent due to fear.
