Another accused, Vicky, who belongs to the same family, is absconding. The trial went on for one-and-a-half years and contradictions in the victim’s statements led to their acquittal.

The court of the Additional District and Sessions Judge, S K Aggarwal, on Thursday acquitted Thomas, Krishan, and Gita, charged with raping a 19-year-old girl.

The case came to light in October 2007, when the pregnant victim registered a case against the family.

The girl reportedly had an affair with Vicky, a school bus driver. When she got pregnant, he took her to Mullanpur where his family stayed. She was disowned by her parents after they learnt of her pregnancy. At Mullanpur, she realised that Vicky was already married and his mother asked her to marry his brother Krishan.

The girl alleged all male members of the family, including, Vicky and Krishna’s father, Thomas, raped her. She was eight months pregnant when the FIR was registered.