The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur has acquitted Teerath @ Chotu Tekam in a criminal appeal after finding that the prosecution evidence did not reliably connect him with the alleged sexual assault. The Court also relied on DNA evidence which excluded him as the biological father of the child born to the victim.
Justice Devnarayan Mishra pronounced the judgment on September 17, 2026, in Criminal Appeal No. 968 of 2025.
Background
The case arose from a judgment of conviction and sentence dated December 12, 2024, passed by the First Additional Sessions Judge, Lakhnadon, District Seoni. The trial court had convicted Teerath @ Chotu Tekam under Sections 450, 376(1), 376(2)(l) and 376(2)(f) of the Indian Penal Code and imposed separate terms of imprisonment and fines.
The victim's parents had gone to Nagpur for labour work and returned to their village later. The victim's father stated that after returning, he found that his daughter was pregnant. He informed the village panchs, who advised him to lodge an FIR. The Town Inspector subsequently spoke to the victim and asked her about the appellant.
The prosecution also relied on the testimony of the victim's brother, who stated that the appellant had switched off the light while the victim was present in the room. The brother said he could not explain what happened after the light was switched off and acknowledged in cross-examination that the FIR was lodged on the basis of doubt and suspicion.
Before the High Court, the appellant disputed his involvement and relied on the DNA report. The forensic examination found that the newborn's blood sample matched the victim's sample but did not match the appellant's sample, leading the Scientific Officer to conclude that the appellant was not the biological father of the child. The State, however, argued that the victim had identified the appellant and that the trial court's conviction should be maintained.
The High Court examined the testimony of the victim and her family members. The Court noted that the victim's parents were away in Nagpur for labour work during the relevant period and returned only later, when they found that she was pregnant.
The Court also considered the evidence concerning the appellant switching off a light bulb when the victim was present in the room. However, the Court found that this circumstance, by itself, could not establish that a sexual assault had taken place.
The DNA report was a significant part of the Court's assessment. According to the forensic examination, the newborn's DNA matched the victim's sample but did not match the appellant's sample. The report therefore excluded the appellant as the biological father of the child.
The Court observed,
"Thus, taking out the bulb and again putting it in the holder appears to be simultaneous and on that basis, the appellant and the victim were seen in that room, only on that basis, it cannot be inferred that the appellant committed sexual assault upon the victim."
The High Court held that the appellant was entitled to the benefit of doubt, observing that the scientific evidence excluded him and that the remaining prosecution evidence did not provide a sufficient basis to sustain the conviction.
The Court therefore allowed the appeal and acquitted Teerath @ Chotu Tekam. It set aside the sentence imposed by the trial court and directed that he be released forthwith if he was not required in any other offence.
Case Title: Teerath @ Chotu Tekam v. State of Madhya Pradesh
Case Number: Criminal Appeal No. 968 of 2025
Judge: Justice Devnarayan Mishra
Decision Date: September 17, 2026
