STATE OF GUJARAT vs PRADEEPBHAI SABURBHAI BARIA Advocate - N U PARMAR — 8/2026

Summary of Case 8/2026 Court Decision: The Additional Sessions Judge & Special Judge (POCSO) at Halol acquitted the accused, Pradipbhai Saburbhai Baria, of all charges on 22 May 2026, finding the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. Key Finding: The court determined this was a consensual relationship between a 16-year-old girl and the accused. The victim voluntarily went to the accused's house and stayed there. The FIR was lodged only after settlement negotiations failed when the accused's family refused to pay ₹70,000 as demanded during a community "Davo Bhangvo" (bride-price settlement), revealing the case was motivated by extortion rather than genuine criminal complaint. Critical Evidence: The victim herself admitted in cross-examination that the accused did not molest or rape her, that she had a 3-year love relationship with him, and that he never abducted her from parental custody. Medical examination found no evidence of sexual assault (negative UPT test, no semen found, no injury marks). The court found the FIR's oblique motive cast serious doubts on the prosecution's credibility. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.