Accused Rajendra Laxmichand Dhurve Acquitted in POCSO and IPC Case Due to Lack of Proof of Victim’s Age: Calcutta High Court

The High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Nagpur Bench, delivered a significant judgment on 24 February 2026 in Criminal Appeal No. 432/2023. The Appellant, Rajendra S/O Laxmichand Dhurve, aged 34, challenged his conviction by the Additional Sessions Judge, Special Judge POCSO, Bhandara, in Special Case (Child Protection) No. 50/2018. He was earlier convicted under Section 376(2)(n)(f)(j)(3) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 read with Section 5(j)(ii)(1) of the…