The Supreme Court of India has ruled the act of a male teacher forcing flowers on a minor girl can be considered harassment under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) but acquitted a teacher accused of the offense due to faulty evidence.

However, the court acquitted the teacher in the case adding that the evidence in the case had significant gaps and could affect reputation of teachers.

The teacher had been sent to prison for three years, along with another teacher who was sentenced for two years for being complicit.

However, Justice Dipankar Datta, alongside Justice K V Vishwanathan and Justice Sandeep Mehta said that the case’s evidence, including the girl’s own statement, was full of contradictions.

“We quite agree with the submissions of senior counsel for the State that an act of sexual harassment of a girl student (who is also a minor) by any teacher would figure quite high in the list of offenses of grave nature since it has far-reaching consequences, which impact more than just the parties to the proceeding,” the bench said.

The bench added that the ‘right to live a life of dignity and personal liberty’ should not be affected based on faulty evidence.

The Court expressed worry that this case shows that girls can be used as a pawn by people to settle scores.

The case had been filed after a teacher allegedly gave flowers and chocolates to a minor student on Valentine’s day. On her refusal, the teacher allegedly twisted her arm and forced her to accept it.