SALEM: S Karthi, 32, of M Kallipatty village in Salem district, who was arrested in 2024 on charges of raping and impregnating a minor girl, refused to apply for bail as he was firm that he would leave prison only after he was declared innocent by a court. He spent almost two years in the Salem Central Prison under judicial custody. On Friday, a Pocso court here acquitted him from the case after a DNA test confirmed that he was not the father of the child the minor girl had given birth to. And on Friday night, Karthi left the prison with his head held high, as he wished. The Mettur all women police arrested Karthi in September 2024 under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act following a complaint by a 17-year-old girl alleging that he was responsible for her pregnancy. Though he repeatedly stated that he was innocent, he was remanded in judicial custody. “Unlike most suspects who seek bail, Karthi refused to apply for bail, saying he would leave prison only after the court proved his innocence. He remained in prison for two years,” said an officer at the Salem all-women police station. During the case trial period, the girl gave birth to a child. The court ordered a DNA test on the girl, the child and Karthi. “The results confirmed that he was not the father of the child, indicating that he was falsely accused to shield another person,” said the officer. Judge Meenakshi acquitted Karthi of all charges after reviewing the DNA report. After his release, Karthi said: “My conscience was clear as I had done nothing wrong. I wanted the law to prove my innocence, so I refused bail and stayed in prison for two years. Now, truth has won, and I can return to my village with my head held high.”
