{"id":1897,"date":"2025-11-29T13:47:32","date_gmt":"2025-11-29T08:17:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/?p=1897"},"modified":"2025-11-29T13:46:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-29T08:16:16","slug":"bus-driver-accused-under-pocso-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/bus-driver-accused-under-pocso-act\/","title":{"rendered":"No Proof of Stalking or Sexual Intent. Girl Herself Sent the Friend Request: Pune Court Acquits 19-Year-Old Bus Driver Accused Under POCSO Act"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Pune court has acquitted a young bus driver accused of online stalking and sexual harassment of a 13-year-old student. The judge found no sexual chat, no unwanted contact, and noted that even the girl had willingly initiated the Instagram conversation.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><em>MAHARASHTRA<\/em>: A <strong>special POCSO court<\/strong> in Pune has given a <strong>clean acquittal<\/strong> to a <strong>19-year-old school bus driver<\/strong>, <strong>Raju Shrirang Jagde<\/strong>, who was accused of <strong>stalking a minor girl online and sexually harassing her<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The judgment was delivered on <strong>18 November 2025<\/strong> by <strong>Additional Sessions Judge Aniruddha Subhash Gandhi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The case was registered as <strong>Special Sessions Case No. 1308\/2024<\/strong>, and the charges were filed under <strong>Indian Justice Code (IJC) Section 78(2)<\/strong> (stalking) and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sahodar.in\/pocso-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a> Section 12<\/strong> (sexual harassment).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The girl\u2019s mother had filed a complaint on <strong>24 August 2024<\/strong>, claiming she saw Instagram chat between her 13-year-old daughter and the accused. She said that when she opened her mobile phone and checked Instagram, she found written chats with \u201c<strong>\u0930\u093e\u091c\u0942 \u091c\u093e\u0917\u0921\u0947<\/strong>\u201d (Raju Jagde).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The complaint said the parents went to the school the next morning and confronted the boy, after which someone called the police.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the case collapsed inside the court because the witnesses themselves gave statements that did not support the prosecution\u2019s claims. The mother admitted during cross-examination that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u0938\u0926\u0930\u091a\u094d\u092f\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0932\u093f\u0916\u0940\u0924 <\/strong><strong>\u0938\u0902\u092d\u093e\u0937\u0923\u093e\u092e\u0927\u094d\u092f\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u094b\u0923\u0924\u093e\u0939\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0906\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0947\u092a\u093e\u0930\u094d\u0939 <\/strong><strong>\u092e\u091c\u0915\u0942\u0930 <\/strong><strong>\u0928\u0935\u094d\u0939\u0924\u093e\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cThere was no objectionable content in the written conversation.\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u0915\u093e\u0947\u0923\u0924\u0940\u0939\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0924\u0915\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0930 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u0930\u0923\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0915\u0930\u0940\u0924\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0924\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0936\u093e\u0933\u0947\u0924 <\/strong><strong>\u0917\u0947\u0932\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0928\u0935\u094d\u0939\u0924\u0947\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cWe had not gone to the school to file any complaint.\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201c\u092a\u093e\u0947\u0932\u0940\u0938\u093e\u0902\u0928\u0940\u2026 \u0924\u0915\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0930 \u0926\u093e\u0916\u0932 \u0915\u0930\u093e\u0935\u0940\u091a \u0932\u093e\u0917\u0947\u0932 \u0905\u0938\u093e \u0926\u092c\u093e\u0935 \u0906\u0923\u0932\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0928\u0947 \u0924\u093f\u0928\u0947 \u0924\u0915\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0930 \u0926\u093e\u0916\u0932 \u0915\u0947\u0932\u0940\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cPolice pressured her that she must file a complaint, so she filed it.\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The court noted that the girl herself admitted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>She had sent the <strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u092b\u094d\u0930\u0947\u0928\u094d\u0921 <\/strong><strong>\u0930\u093f\u0915\u094d\u0935\u0947\u0938\u094d\u091f\u201d<\/strong> (friend request) to the accused first.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The accused <strong>did not know her age<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>She was chatting <strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u0924\u093f\u091a\u094d\u092f\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0907\u091a\u094d\u091b\u0947\u0928\u0947\u0902\u201d<\/strong> (of her own wish).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Judge\u2019s Observation: No Stalking, No Sexual Intent, No Objectionable Chat<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The court made it absolutely clear that for the offence of stalking under IJC 78(2) to be proved, prosecution must show that the accused kept contacting the minor even after she refused or showed disinterest. But in this case, the judge found:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u092a\u093f\u0921\u0940\u0924\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0906\u0930\u094b\u092a\u0940\u0936\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u092c\u094b\u0932\u0923\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0938 <\/strong><strong>\u0905\u0928\u0941\u0924\u094d\u0938\u0941\u0915 <\/strong><strong>\u0906\u0939\u0947\u2026 <\/strong><strong>\u0905\u0936\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u094b\u0923\u0924\u0940\u0939\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0918\u091f\u0928\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0918\u0921\u0932\u0947\u0932\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0928\u093e\u0939\u0940\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cThere is no incident where the victim was uninterested or refused to talk, yet the accused kept trying to contact her.\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u0909\u0932\u091f\u092a\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u092a\u093f\u0921\u0940\u0924\u093e\u091a <\/strong><strong>\u0906\u0930\u094b\u092a\u0940\u0936\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0938\u0902\u092a\u0930\u094d\u0915 <\/strong><strong>\u0935\u093e\u0922\u0935\u0942 <\/strong><strong>\u0907\u091a\u094d\u091b\u0940\u0924 <\/strong><strong>\u0939\u094b\u0924\u0940\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cOn the contrary, the victim herself wanted to increase contact with the accused.\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Regarding the POCSO charge (sexual harassment under Section 12), the court emphasised that sexual intent is mandatory. But the evidence showed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u0906\u0930\u094b\u092a\u0940\u092c\u0930\u094b\u092c\u0930 <\/strong><strong>\u091d\u093e\u0932\u0947\u0932\u094d\u092f\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0932\u093f\u0916\u0940\u0924 <\/strong><strong>\u0938\u0902\u092d\u093e\u0937\u0923\u093e\u092e\u0927\u094d\u092f\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0924\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0928\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u094b\u0923\u0924\u0947\u0939\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0905\u0936\u094d\u0932\u0940\u0932 <\/strong><strong>\u092d\u093e\u0937\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0935\u093e\u092a\u0930\u0932\u094d\u092f\u093e\u091a\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u093f\u0902\u0935\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0932\u0948\u0902\u0917\u093f\u0915 <\/strong><strong>\u0938\u0941\u0916\u093e\u091a\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u092e\u093e\u0917\u0923\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u0947\u0932\u094d\u092f\u093e\u091a\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0926\u094b\u0918\u0940\u0939\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0938\u093e\u0902\u0917\u0924 <\/strong><strong>\u0928\u093e\u0939\u0940\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cNeither the girl nor the mother said that the accused used any obscene language or made any sexual demands.\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The police had seized the mobile phone, but <strong>never produced the Instagram chat in court<\/strong>.<br><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u0938\u0926\u0930\u091a\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0932\u093f\u0916\u0940\u0924 <\/strong><strong>\u0938\u0902\u092d\u093e\u0937\u0923\u093e\u091a\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u092a\u094d\u0930\u0924 <\/strong><strong>\u092a\u091f\u0932\u093e\u0935\u0930 <\/strong><strong>\u0926\u093e\u0916\u0932 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u0947\u0932\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0928\u093e\u0939\u0940\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cThe written chat was not placed on record.\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Judge\u2019s Final Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove <strong>any<\/strong> of the ingredients required for either offence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u0906\u0930\u094b\u092a\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0935\u093f\u0930\u0941\u0926\u094d\u0927 <\/strong><strong>\u0928\u092e\u0942\u0926 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u0947\u0932\u0947\u0932\u094d\u092f\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0917\u0941\u0928\u094d\u0939\u094d\u092f\u093e\u091a\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u094b\u0923\u0924\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0939\u0940 <\/strong><strong>\u0906\u0935\u0936\u094d\u092f\u0915 <\/strong><strong>\u092c\u093e\u092c\u0940\u2026 <\/strong><strong>\u0905\u092d\u093f\u092f\u094b\u0917 <\/strong><strong>\u092a\u0915\u094d\u0937 <\/strong><strong>\u0938\u093f\u0926\u094d\u0927 <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u0930\u0942 <\/strong><strong>\u0936\u0915\u0932\u0947\u0932\u0947 <\/strong><strong>\u0928\u093e\u0939\u0940\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cProsecution has not been able to prove any essential ingredients of the alleged offences.\u201d)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus the court ordered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u201c<\/strong><strong>\u0928\u093f\u0930\u094d\u0926\u094b\u0937 <\/strong><strong>\u092e\u0941\u0915\u094d\u0924\u0924\u093e <\/strong><strong>\u0915\u0930\u0923\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0924 <\/strong><strong>\u092f\u0947\u0924\u0947\u201d<\/strong><br>(\u201cAccused is acquitted.\u201d)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His seized mobile phone will be returned after appeal period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His personal bond stands cancelled.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Final Verdict<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Pune court found that the 13-year-old girl had willingly chatted with the accused, sent him the friend request herself, and there was <strong>no sexual content, no unwanted contact, no stalking, and no bad intention<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The police also failed to present the Instagram chat in court. So the judge acquitted the young bus driver completely.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bus-driver-accused-under-pocso-act-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"bus driver accused under pocso act\" class=\"wp-image-1904\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bus-driver-accused-under-pocso-act-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bus-driver-accused-under-pocso-act-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bus-driver-accused-under-pocso-act-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/bus-driver-accused-under-pocso-act.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanatory Table Of All Laws \/ Sections Mentioned In The Case<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><td><strong>Law \/ Section<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Full Name<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Meaning in Simple Indian English<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Why It Was Mentioned in This Case<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>IJC Section 78(2)<\/strong><\/td><td>Indian Justice Code \u2013 Stalking (including online stalking)<\/td><td>If a man follows a woman physically or online despite her disinterest, or keeps watching her digital activity, it is \u201cstalking.\u201d<\/td><td>Prosecution claimed the accused contacted the minor on Instagram. Court said she <em>sent friend request herself<\/em> &amp; chats were consensual.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>POCSO Section 12<\/strong><\/td><td>Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act &#8211; Sexual Harassment<\/td><td>Any sexual comments, gestures, chat, messages, or attempts with sexual intent toward a minor.<\/td><td>Court found <strong>no sexual messages<\/strong>, <strong>no obscene words<\/strong>, <strong>no sexual intent<\/strong>, so charge failed.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>BNSS Section 184<\/strong><\/td><td>Recording statement of witness by Court<\/td><td>Allows the court to record official statements of witnesses.<\/td><td>Victim &amp; mother\u2019s statements were recorded under this section.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>BNSS Section 258(1)<\/strong><\/td><td>Acquittal of Accused<\/td><td>Court can acquit if evidence does not prove charges.<\/td><td>Used for acquitting the accused completely.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/the-bharatiya-nagarik-suraksha-sanhita-2023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BNSS <\/a>Section 351<\/strong><\/td><td>Examination of Accused<\/td><td>Court records accused\u2019s statement when needed.<\/td><td>Not used because <strong>no incriminating evidence<\/strong> came against him.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>BNSS Section 481<\/strong><\/td><td>Cancellation of Bail Bond<\/td><td>Cancels bonds after disposal of case.<\/td><td>Court ordered cancellation of the accused\u2019s personal bond.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>POCSO Section 11 (definition referenced)<\/strong><\/td><td>Defines \u201cSexual Harassment\u201d<\/td><td>Defines actions that count as sexual harassment of a child.<\/td><td>Court used this to examine whether the accused\u2019s messages were sexual. They were not.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>POCSO Section 12<\/strong><\/td><td>Punishment for Sexual Harassment<\/td><td>Gives punishment for above offence.<\/td><td>The accused was charged but acquitted.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Case Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Case Title:<\/strong> <strong>State of Maharashtra vs. Raju Shrirang Jagde<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Court \/ Bench:<\/strong> <strong>Court of Shri Aniruddha Subhash Gandhi, Additional Sessions Judge, Pune<\/strong> (Judgment dated 18\/11\/2025)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Case Numbers &amp; Registration Info:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Special Sessions Case No.: 1308\/2024<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>C.R. No.: 224\/2024 (Vishrambaug Police Station)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Filing Date:<\/strong> 21\/10\/2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Registration Date:<\/strong> 07\/11\/2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Judgment Date:<\/strong> 18\/11\/2025<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Period of Trial:<\/strong> 1 year 28 days<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Accused Details:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Name:<\/strong> Raju Shrirang Jagde<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age:<\/strong> 19 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Occupation:<\/strong> Bus Driver<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Address:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Present: 1115, Ramnagar, Hingne Khurd, Manikbag, Sinhgad Road, Pune<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Permanent: Ambed, Taluka Velhe, District Pune<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Arrest Date:<\/strong> 24\/08\/2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bail Date:<\/strong> 03\/09\/2024<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Counsels:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For Prosecution:<\/strong> <strong>Shri Anil Kumar Verma<\/strong>, Assistant Public Prosecutor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For Accused:<\/strong> <strong>Shri D.S. Shirole (Tripaksha Litigation Partner)<\/strong>, Defence Counsel<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Prosecution Witnesses:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PW-1 (Exh.7):<\/strong> Mother \/ Complainant<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PW-2 (Exh.12):<\/strong> Victim Girl<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Documentary Exhibits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Exh.8:<\/strong> Birth Certificate of Minor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exh.9:<\/strong> Complaint<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exh.10:<\/strong> Printed FIR<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exh.11:<\/strong> Mother&#8217;s Statement under Section 184 BNSS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exh.12:<\/strong> Victim\u2019s Statement under Section 184 BNSS<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Accused Was Charged Under:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indian Justice Code (IJC) Section 78(2)<\/strong> \u2014 Stalking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>POCSO Act Section 12<\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/how-to-defend-false-charge-of-sexual-harassment-at-work-place\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sexual Harassment<\/a> of Minor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Final Order:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Accused Acquitted<\/strong> under BNSS 258(1) for charges under:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>IJC 78(2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>POCSO 12<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bond Cancelled<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Seized Samsung Galaxy A31 Mobile to be Returned After Appeal Period<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The court confirmed that the minor girl herself initiated the contact and even sent the friend request, yet the man was the one dragged into criminal proceedings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The mother admitted there was no objectionable or sexual content in the chats, proving how easily normal conversations get twisted into criminal allegations against men.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Police pressure forced the parents to file a complaint, highlighting how men are often pushed into cases without proper inquiry or verification.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The prosecution could not show stalking, sexual intent, or any unwanted contact, yet the young boy spent time in custody and faced trial for more than a year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This case exposes how quickly men get labelled as predators even when evidence shows consent, mutual communication, and no wrongdoing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/State-of-Maharashtra-vs.-Raju-Shrirang-Jagde.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read Complete Judgement<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-black-color has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-813e64ecd8d0f9bce1baef850ed90f9c\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/contact-me\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This Could Change Your Case-Get FREE Legal Advice-Click Here!<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong>&nbsp;The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the Indian courts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of \u201cShoneeKapoor.com\u201d or its affiliates. This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content provided is not legal advice, and viewers should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Viewer discretion is advised.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Pune court has acquitted a young bus driver accused of online stalking and sexual harassment of a 13-year-old student. The judge found no sexual chat, no unwanted contact, and noted that even the girl had willingly initiated the Instagram conversation. MAHARASHTRA: A special POCSO court in Pune has given a clean acquittal to a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1901,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[115,118],"tags":[144,138,775,242,335,336,337,338,334,119],"class_list":["post-1897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","category-legal-update","tag-cruelty","tag-fase-case","tag-justice-shri-aniruddha-subhash-gandhi","tag-pocso-act","tag-section-12-pocso-act","tag-section-184-bnss","tag-section-2581-bnss","tag-section-481-bnss","tag-section-782-ijc","tag-sexual-assault"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1897"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4982,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1897\/revisions\/4982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shoneekapoor.com\/legal-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}