In a decision that blends closure with a forward-looking gesture, the Bombay High Court has directed that ₹1.5 lakh deposited by a man accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act be used to purchase a MacBook or similar laptop for the minor girl involved in the case.
The order came from Justice Ashwin D Bhobe while allowing a petition that sought to quash criminal proceedings arising from an FIR lodged at Pune’s Chaturshrungi Police Station. The 52-year-old petitioner had faced allegations under the POCSO Act and the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), with a chargesheet already filed.
As part of the conditions for quashing the case, the Court required the accused to deposit ₹1.5 lakh within two weeks. That amount, now lying with the registry, has been earmarked for a specific purpose: to fund the purchase of the latest version of a MacBook or another suitable laptop, after consulting the minor to ensure it meets her academic needs.
Any leftover funds after the purchase are to be transferred to the High Court Employees Medical Welfare Fund in Mumbai.
The case itself unfolded within a family setting—the minor girl is the niece of the accused. The Court noted that the dispute stemmed from what was described as a misunderstanding. Importantly, the girl had told a Judicial Magistrate that she no longer had any grievance against her uncle. She reiterated this position before the High Court and filed an affidavit affirming that her consent to end the proceedings was given freely and without pressure.
Taking note of the settlement and the girl’s no-objection, the Court found no legal hurdle in setting aside both the FIR and the chargesheet.
With that, a case that began in criminal courtrooms has been closed—its final chapter written not in penalties, but in a laptop meant to power a young student’s future.
