Allahabad High Court acquits Bhaiya Lal Raidas, criticizes trial court
The Allahabad High Court has acquitted Bhaiya Lal Raidas, who was jailed for allegedly kidnapping a minor in 2011.
Justice Subhash Vidyarthi said there just was not enough solid proof that the girl was actually underage, and called out the trial court for using things like 14x14 teeth and axillary and pubic hair as age markers.
High court finds girl's statements credible
The High Court pointed out that physical traits are not reliable for figuring out someone's age: medical opinions can be off by two years.
They also dismissed an unverified mark sheet used to claim the girl was a minor, saying it did not hold up.
Plus, they found the girl's earlier statements, where she said she left willingly and wanted to marry Raidas, credible, so they concluded this was not really a kidnapping case after all.