Panchkula, Sept. 29 -- Observing that the prosecution evidence was "marred by material contradictions" and lacked the "requisite consistency, reliability and cogency", a POCSO court acquitted a 22-year-old man from Zirakpur in a case alleging kidnapping of a 16-year-old girl and attempt to commit penetrative sexual assault. The court held that the cumulative effect of the evidence "does not inspire the confidence of the court" and that the prosecution had failed to prove the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

According to the prosecution case, the girl was allegedly taken by the accused on December 9, 2023, after he called her to his shop in Dhakoli on the pretext of taking her to Ambala to meet his relatives. The prosecution alleg...