State of Maharashtra vs Laxman Lahu Aawate — 19/2024

Case under Indian Penal Code Section 376,376(2)(n). Disposed: Contested--ACQUITTED on 24th April 2026.

Case disposed

Spl.Case - Special Case (Sessions)

CNR: MHRG010007752024

Filing Number

198/2024

Filing Date

09-Jul-2024

Registration No

19/2024

Registration Date

09-Jul-2024

Court

District and Session Court Raigad

Judge

17-District Judge-1 Addl.sessions Judge

Decision Date

24-Apr-2026

Nature of Disposal

Contested--ACQUITTED

Last updated 30-May-2026

FIR Details

FIR Number

161

Police Station

Pen Police Station

Year

2024

Acts & Sections

Indian Penal Code Section 376,376(2)(n)
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Rules Section 4,8,12

Petitioner(s)

  1. 1.State of Maharashtra

    Adv. App

Respondent(s)

  1. 1.Laxman Lahu Aawate

Case History

  1. Case disposedDisposed

  2. 24-Apr-2026

    Copy of JudgmentView PDF

    Case Summary: State of Maharashtra v. Laxman Lahu Aavate (Case 19/2024) Court Decision: Laxman Lahu Aavate was acquitted of all charges under IPC Section 376(2)(n) (rape of a minor) and POCSO Act Sections 4(2) and 12. Key Reasoning: The court found that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Despite the victim being 14 years old and allegedly pregnant, key prosecution witnesses—including the victim and her parents—testified they had a consensual love relationship with intent to marry, not sexual abuse. Crucially, medical doctors who could verify pregnancy were never examined, and the victim never testified to non-consensual physical intimacy. The court concluded insufficient evidence existed to establish the accused knowingly committed sexual intercourse with a minor. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.

  3. 24-Apr-2026

    Disposed

    District Judge-1 Addl.sessions Judge

  4. 23-Apr-2026

    Arguments

    District Judge-1 Addl.sessions Judge

  5. 21-Apr-2026

    Evidence Part Heard

    District Judge-1 Addl.sessions Judge

  6. 08-Apr-2026

    Evidence Part Heard

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  7. 23-Mar-2026

    Evidence Part Heard

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  8. 20-Mar-2026

    Evidence Part Heard

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  9. 12-Mar-2026

    Evidence Part Heard

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  10. 27-Feb-2026

    Evidence Part Heard

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  11. 11-Feb-2026

    Evidence Part Heard

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  12. 21-Jan-2026

    List of Witness

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  13. 15-Dec-2025

    List of Witness

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  14. 20-Nov-2025

    List of Witness

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  15. 16-Oct-2025

    List of Witness

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  16. 19-Sep-2025

    List of Witness

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  17. 12-Sep-2025

    List of Witness

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  18. 13-Aug-2025

    Charge

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  19. 30-Jun-2025

    Awaiting Summons

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  20. 22-May-2025

    Awaiting Summons

    District Judge-2 And Addl.sessions Judge

  21. 20-Mar-2025

    Awaiting Summons

    District Judge-2 And Asstt.sessions Judge

  22. 30-Jan-2025

    Awaiting Summons

    District Judge-2 And Asstt.sessions Judge

  23. 06-Jan-2025

    Awaiting Summons

    District Judge-2 And Asstt.sessions Judge

  24. 11-Nov-2024

    Awaiting Summons

    District Judge-2 And Asstt.sessions Judge

  25. 13-Sep-2024

    First Order

    District Judge-2 And Asstt.sessions Judge

  26. 19-Jul-2024

    First Order

    District Judge-2 And Asstt.sessions Judge

  27. 15-Jul-2024

    First hearing

    Initial hearing scheduled

  28. 09-Jul-2024

    Case filed

    Registration No. 19/2024

casestatus.in Summary

Case Summary: State of Maharashtra v. Laxman Lahu Aavate (Case 19/2024) Court Decision: Laxman Lahu Aavate was acquitted of all charges under IPC Section 376(2)(n) (rape of a minor) and POCSO Act Sections 4(2) and 12. Key Reasoning: The court found that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Despite the victim being 14 years old and allegedly pregnant, key prosecution witnesses—including the victim and her parents—testified they had a consensual love relationship with intent to marry, not sexual abuse. Crucially, medical doctors who could verify pregnancy were never examined, and the victim never testified to non-consensual physical intimacy. The court concluded insufficient evidence existed to establish the accused knowingly committed sexual intercourse with a minor. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.

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