As per the facts of the case, the father of a minor girl had in 2019 filed a missing persons complaint alleging that the petitioner, then 18 years old, had kidnapped his then 16-year-old daughter. After the FIR was lodged, the mother of the petitioner handed over the girl to her parents. The girl gave a statement to the police that she had married the petitioner and was seven months pregnant. On the basis of her statement, charges of rape and POCSO Act offences were added to the FIR.
After the petitioner was granted bail, he and the girl performed a formal wedding ceremony in the presence of friends and family. Soon thereafter, the girl delivered a baby boy.
In this background, and in light of the fact that the father of the girl had accepted their marriage, the petitioner approached the High Court seeking quashing of the FIR.
Source: Barandbench
