HC acquits two men for abducting a girl who jumped into Narmada canal

The High Court has quashed the conviction order of two men accused of kidnapping a girl. It has been observed that the accused had helped the girl but still she was sent to jail. Many such youths are languishing in jail because strict laws do not allow relationships with girls below the age of 18. Even if the relationship is friendly. It is to be noted that the two accused had saved the victim from committing suicide. They may face trial under the Protection of Children Act 2012 Considering the arguments of the learned counsel appearing for the appellant men in the case and the state government, the high court observed that aiding or abetting a minor under the age of 18 may lead to him to face trial under the Indian Penal Code or the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. This needs to be understood and learned by young people who are approaching adulthood. Many youths are currently languishing in jail due to strict laws that do not allow them to have relationships with girls under the age of 18. Even if the relationship between those young people is friendly. Both men were sentenced to life in prison on kidnapping charges This is a case of an FIR lodged by the victim's father in 2004. The two men were accused of luring the victim away from her father's legal guardianship by luring her to marry one of the two accused. The men were booked under sections 363 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for kidnapping and forcing marriage, as well as sections of the Atrocity Act. The two men were sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 under the Atrocity Act and six months rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000 under the Atrocity Act. Both were protecting the victim The counsel for the appellant submitted that these two accused were only protecting the victim. On the day she went to the Narmada canal with the intention of committing suicide. The police took the victim to a guest house instead of handing him over to his parents. Where two accused were with her to protect her and convince her not to commit suicide which the police also knew. Both were acquitted of the charges as no offence was proved against the accused The victim had left the house of her own accord due to a dispute with her family. The victim's brother had beaten her up and so she went to the Narmada canal with the intention of committing suicide. The high court, after the said submissions, noted that the prosecution had failed to prove that the victim was below 18 years of age. The entire case of the prosecution has been made to charge the accused. The parents failed to give her a safe environment and proper care and love in the home so she stepped out of the house with the intention of committing suicide. Both are acquitted of the charges as no offence is proved against the accused at such a stage.