After court bail & ‘blessing’, 24-year-old Pocso accused marries girlfriend who’s now 18 years old

KOLKATA: A 24-year-old youth, behind bars for the past 16 months in a Pocso case for engaging in a physical relationship with a minor, married the girl — now an adult — on the court premises with the court’s blessings on Wednesday.

Suraj Mondal tied the knot with his 18-year-old girlfriend on Bongaon sub-divisional court premises after the court granted him bail and permitted the marriage.

A resident of Sutia in Gaighata, Suraj was in a relationship with the girl, a resident of Haringhata in Nadia district, since she was 16 and he 22. “During the course of their relationship, on Oct 7, 2024, the girl’s family lodged a police complaint accusing him of sexually assaulting the minor. Police registered a case under Pocso Act and arrested the accused,” a senior officer of Bongaon district police said.

When the case came up for hearing on Wednesday, the girl had already turned 18 and her family, too, appeared to have had a change of heart and accepted the relationship. Both parties told the judge they wanted the couple to get married and start a life together.

“Taking into account the humanitarian aspects of the case and the consent of both families, additional district and sessions judge Kallol Kumar Das accepted their plea and granted their request. Suraj was given bail on a personal bond of Rs 10,000 and directed not to subject his wife to any form of physical or mental harassment in future,” public prosecutor Samir Das told TOI .

‘Proceedings to go on till case is legally disposed’

With the court’s approval, the ceremony was solemnised on court premises in the presence of family and lawyers,” public prosecutor Samir Das told TOI .
The couple’s parents expressed happiness. “We are happy with the court’s decision. The judge respected everyone’s views before permitting the marriage. We were anxious about the situation. Now we wish they live happily together,” the girl’s mother said.

Sagar Das, a senior lawyer of Bongaon court, said since the case was registered under Pocso Act, legal proceedings will continue for now. “The matter will be disposed of through due legal process and only then can the accused be acquitted,” he said.