LUCKNOW, Jan. 29 -- After more than a year of the alleged gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Ayodhya district--an incident that had triggered much outrage in the state, Samajwadi Party leader Moid Khan, one of the two accused, was acquitted on Wednesday after the prosecution failed to produce sufficient evidence against him.

The court of Ayodhya special judge (POCSO Act) Nirupama Vikram, however, convicted co-accused Raju Khan, who was employed by the SP functionary. It will pronounce the quantum of sentence against Raju on Thursday.

With the trial court delivering a split verdict, the state is now likely to appeal against Moid Khan's acquittal in the high court.

The verdict was delivered in the case registered at Purakalandar police s...