Mohali, Nov. 22 -- A Mohali court has acquitted an accused in a POCSO case after observing that the prosecution failed to present consistent evidence and that the investigation contained several lapses.

According to the prosecution, the minor victim was allegedly kidnapped near a gurdwara in Baltana and later taken to Delhi, where she claimed she was confined for nearly a month. She further alleged that she was then moved to Bihar before being rescued. A second incident of alleged kidnapping was also reported in September, after which she was recovered from Ludhiana.

During the trial, the court examined statements of the victim, her family members and the police. It found inconsistencies regarding the number of accused persons initially...