Karan Ratre v. State of Chhattisgarh
Case brief
What is this about?
High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur, CRA No. 213 of 2025 (Ramesh Sinha, CJ; Bibhu Datta Guru, J), decided 12/11/2025. Appeal under S. 415(2) BNSS against conviction and sentence dated 16.01.2025 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Fast Track Special Court (POCSO Act), Sarangarh in Special Criminal Case (POCSO) No. 34/2021 (FIR Crime No. 527/2021, PS Sarangarh) under Sections 376(3), 376(2)(n), 384 IPC, Section 15 POCSO Act and Sections 66E, 67A, 67B IT Act. Held: age of victim unproved (uncorroborated school register DOB entry; Birka Shiva v. State of Telangana relied on); MLC/FSL negative; mobile forensics inconclusive on recording/circulation of obscene video; relationship consensual per photographs and letter, FIR lodged only after video went viral, false implication possible — appeal allowed, conviction and sentence set aside, appellant acquitted and ordered released on Rs. 25,000 personal bond with one surety (S. 437-A Cr.P.C., now S. 481 BNSS).