The Supreme Court has acquitted a man convicted under the POCSO Act after finding that the prosecution failed to establish his identity as the perpetrator beyond reasonable doubt.
Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted that the child and her cousin did not identify the appellant in court. Their accounts also contained material inconsistencies, the disclosure was delayed and a teacher who received the first account was not examined.
The bench found further support for a credible alibi and held that the evidentiary gaps could not sustain the conviction. It set aside the Meghalaya High Court judgment and trial-court conviction, ordering Charming Rupon’s immediate release unless required in another case. The judgment was delivered on 9 October 2026.