Professor Wrongfully Sentenced To 20 Years Of Imprisonment In 16-Year-Old Girl's Rape Case Acquitted By Calcutta HC

Kolkata: A college professor who was wrongfully accused of allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl and was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, has been acquitted by the Calcutta High Court. As compensation for wrongful incarceration, the state will pay Rs 10 lakh to the professor.

The man spent four years in custody.

Lapses In Investigation

The court noted that there were serious lapses on part of the investigation officer, who did not examine the neighbouring professors or colleagues of the professor.

The court added that the prosecution's case had heavily relied on the testimony of the professor's estranged son and wife. Notably, the professor was involved in a long-standing matrimonial dispute.

The court said, “It is very unfortunate that without examining the neighbouring professors or colleagues residing next door or in the adjacent quarters, the IO (investigation officer) thought that the estranged wife and son of the appellant would be the perfect witnesses to grill the appellant, who is a professor of college."

The Prosecution's Case

An FIR over the alleged rape was lodged in 2022 by the 16-year-old girl's sister. The  girl's father had left her with the professor for some days as she was being allegedly mistreated by her stepmother at her home.

In the complaint, it was alleged that the professor sexually assaulted her after administering her contraceptive medicines.

However, medical evidence did not support her claims since fresh injuries were not found despite the claim that she was forced on several occasions.

In 2025, a man from Oklahoma, USA, who was wrongfully convicted of rape got $26.25 million (more than Rs 247 crore) as compensation.

William Henry Jamerson, convicted in 1991 with two counts of rape and robbery, was originally sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.

He was released from prison in 2015 after serving nearly 25 years in jail. Following his release, he challenged his conviction, which was finally dismissed in 2024.

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