Salem Man S Karthi Acquitted of Rape Charges After DNA Test Proves Innocence

A 32-year-old man from M Kallipatty village in Salem district was acquitted by a POCSO court on Friday after a DNA test proved he was not the father of a minor girl's child. S Karthi, who spent nearly two years in Salem Central Prison after refusing to apply for bail, was cleared of all charges of raping and impregnating the 17-year-old girl.

The case began when the Mettur all-women police arrested Karthi in September 2024. The arrest was made under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This followed a formal complaint registered by a 17-year-old girl, who alleged that Karthi was responsible for her pregnancy.

Following his arrest, Karthi repeatedly stated to the authorities that he was entirely innocent of the allegations. Despite his protests of innocence, he was remanded in judicial custody and sent to Salem Central Prison.

While most suspects in similar situations actively seek bail to secure their release during the trial, Karthi took a highly unusual stance. He firmly refused to apply for bail. He stated that he would only leave the prison after his innocence was officially proven and declared by a court of law.

An officer at the Salem all-women police station confirmed that Karthi remained in prison under judicial custody for almost two years due to his refusal to seek bail.

During the trial period of the case, the minor girl gave birth to a child. To resolve the matter, the POCSO court ordered a DNA test to be performed. The test required DNA samples from the minor girl, her newborn child, and Karthi.

The DNA test results ultimately confirmed that Karthi was not the biological father of the child. Based on this conclusive scientific evidence, the POCSO court acquitted Karthi of all charges on Friday.

Following the court's verdict, Karthi was officially released from Salem Central Prison on Friday night. Having proven his innocence through the legal system as he had insisted, he left the prison with his head held high.