POCSO Act | No Presumption Of Guilt Against Accused If Prosecution Fails To Prove 'Foundation Facts' Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Patna High Court
7 months, 3 weeks ago

POCSO Act | No Presumption Of Guilt Against Accused If Prosecution Fails To Prove 'Foundation Facts' Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Patna High Court

Live Law  

While deciding a POCSO case, the Patna High Court on Tuesday reiterated that the prosecution would not be absolved from proving the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt despite the presumption of committing an offence operating against the accused under Section 29 of POCSO Act. The Court said that irrespective of the fact that there exists a presumption against the accused, the prosecution would still be required to prove the foundational facts regarding the allegation of sexual assault against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt. In essence, the court said that the presumption against the accused wouldn't rise automatically, the presumption only arises when the prosecution establishes the foundational facts regarding the allegation of sexual assault against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt. below 18 years of age and he/she has been subjected to sexual assault by the accused and such foundational facts have to be proved by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubts and once the presumption is raised against the accused, the accused can rebut such presumption either by cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses or by leading evidence in his/her defence, on the touchstone of preponderance of probability.

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History of this topic

[POCSO Act] Lying Very Close To Minor Victim Amounts To 'Outraging Modesty' But Not 'Aggravated Sexual Assault' If No Overt Sexual Intent: Delhi HC
Top News
1 week, 3 days ago

[POCSO Act] Lying Very Close To Minor Victim Amounts To 'Outraging Modesty' But Not 'Aggravated Sexual Assault' If No Overt Sexual Intent: Delhi HC

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court has held that pressing lips of a minor victim and lying very close to her may amount to offence of outraging her modesty under Indian Penal Code but the same may not amount to offence of aggravated sexual assault under POCSO Act if overt sexual intent is absent. “The act of touching and pressing lips or …

'Country's Image Tarnished' : Patna High Court Raps State Police Over 'Lethargic' Approach In US Minor's Sexual Abuse Case
3 weeks, 3 days ago

'Country's Image Tarnished' : Patna High Court Raps State Police Over 'Lethargic' Approach In US Minor's Sexual Abuse Case

Live Law  

The Patna High Court on Monday came down heavily on the Bihar Police for its “lethargic and lackadaisical” approach in handling the sexual abuse case of a 13-year-old foreign national, stating that the role of the police authority in the matter had “tarnished the image of the country where protection of justice, social, political and economic was granted in the …

Often False POCSO Case Launched Against Spouse To Avoid Handing Over Minor Child's Custody: Kerala High Court
1 month ago

Often False POCSO Case Launched Against Spouse To Avoid Handing Over Minor Child's Custody: Kerala High Court

Live Law  

Kerala High Court while quashing a POCSO case filed by the mother on behalf of her child against her divorced husband observed that there are instances where one spouse uses their minor child to file false POCSO case against the other, to win custody cases. “In cases when the husband and wife are in loggerheads and one among them sues …

Thane court acquits man in 2018 sexual assault case due to weak prosecution
1 month ago

Thane court acquits man in 2018 sexual assault case due to weak prosecution

Hindustan Times  

A court in Maharashtra's Thane district has acquitted a man accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in 2018, reprimanding the prosecution for a "half-hearted" investigation. A judge in Maharashtra's Thane district acquitted a man accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old child in 2018, criticising the prosecution for conducting a "half-hearted" probe. The court of special judge P R Ashturkar, …

Failure To Report POCSO Offences Not An Exception To Sanction For Prosecuting Public Servants U/S 197 CrPC Or U/S 218 BNSS: Kerala HC
2 months, 1 week ago

Failure To Report POCSO Offences Not An Exception To Sanction For Prosecuting Public Servants U/S 197 CrPC Or U/S 218 BNSS: Kerala HC

Live Law  

“ Section 197 of the Cr.PC and Section 218 of the BNSS are intended to operate as a safeguard against public servants from being dragged into vexatious proceedings for having discharged their official duties. In doing so the court observed that Section 197 CrPC/Section 218 BNSS are meant to safeguard the public servants from being dragged into vexatious proceedings while …

S.21 POCSO Act | Doctor Not Responsible To 'Verify' Age Of Victim Or 'Ascertain' If Offence Has Been Committed: Madras High Court
2 months, 1 week ago

S.21 POCSO Act | Doctor Not Responsible To 'Verify' Age Of Victim Or 'Ascertain' If Offence Has Been Committed: Madras High Court

Live Law  

The Madras High Court has recently observed that a Doctor does not have a responsibility to 'verify' or 'ascertain' the age of a victim brought in for abortion, for the purposes of reporting crime under POCSO Act. “As the Hon'ble Apex Court has astutely noted, the petitioner bore no responsibility to verify the victim girl's age or ascertain whether offences …

Case Transferred To POCSO Court After 8-Yrs Trial: Gujarat HC Says Police, Prosecution & Trial Court Prima Facie Failed In Discharging Duty
2 months, 1 week ago

Case Transferred To POCSO Court After 8-Yrs Trial: Gujarat HC Says Police, Prosecution & Trial Court Prima Facie Failed In Discharging Duty

Live Law  

The Gujarat High Court recently lamented the failure on part of the Police, the prosecution and the trial court in an assault case, which came to be transferred to a POCSO Court, eight years after commencement of trial. “Prima facie, it is very strange and also shameful on the part of the entire law enforcing and law adjudicating machinery that …

Gujarat HC raps law machinery for invoking POCSO Act in molestation case 8 years after FIR
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Gujarat HC raps law machinery for invoking POCSO Act in molestation case 8 years after FIR

Hindustan Times  

Ahmedabad, The Gujarat High Court has berated the police and prosecution for invoking sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act against four men in a molestation case eight years after the FIR was filed and when the trial was near completion. The court said the investigating agency as well as prosecution prima facie failed to discharge their …

Presumption Of Guilt U/S 29 Of POCSO Act Can't Be Drawn Due To Lack Of Evidence: Punjab & Haryana HC Sets Aside Rape Conviction
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Presumption Of Guilt U/S 29 Of POCSO Act Can't Be Drawn Due To Lack Of Evidence: Punjab & Haryana HC Sets Aside Rape Conviction

Live Law  

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has acquitted two men in a sexual assault case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, observing that the presumption under Section 29 for abetting or attempting to commit certain offences under the Act cannot be drawn on account of lack of evidence.As per Section 29 of the POCSO Act, where a …

Presumption Of Guilt U/S Of 29 POCSO Act Can't Be Drawn Due To Lack Of Evidence: Punjab & Haryana HC Sets Aside Rape Conviction
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Presumption Of Guilt U/S Of 29 POCSO Act Can't Be Drawn Due To Lack Of Evidence: Punjab & Haryana HC Sets Aside Rape Conviction

Live Law  

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has acquitted two men in a sexual assault case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, observing that the presumption under Section 29 for abetting or attempting to commit certain offences under the Act cannot be drawn on account of lack of evidence. As per Section 29 of the POCSO Act, where …

Criminal Proceedings Involving Serious Offences Under POCSO Act Can't Be Quashed On Settlement Between Parties: Kerala High Court
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Criminal Proceedings Involving Serious Offences Under POCSO Act Can't Be Quashed On Settlement Between Parties: Kerala High Court

Live Law  

The Kerala High Court has held that remote chance of conviction due to compromise between the accused and the complainant should not serve as a ground to terminate investigation abruptly and to quash the FIR and further proceedings in serious offences involving POSCO Act. The court further said that legal position was comprehensive that criminal proceedings involving very serious offences …

[POCSO Act] Quashing Of Serious Offence To Efface Evidence Already Recorded Cannot Be Done Even At Instance Of Survivor: Kerala High Court
3 months ago

[POCSO Act] Quashing Of Serious Offence To Efface Evidence Already Recorded Cannot Be Done Even At Instance Of Survivor: Kerala High Court

Live Law  

The Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by the victim of a POCSO offence to quash the proceedings saying that serious offences are involved and the trial had reached at the end stage. The Court noted that that the accused is alleged of committing serious offences like aggravated penetrative sexual assault against the minor. Justice A. Badharudeen observed that …

POCSO Act | Absence Of Semen In Penetrative Sexual Assault Will Not Weaken Victim's Testimony: Punjab & Haryana High Court
3 months, 1 week ago

POCSO Act | Absence Of Semen In Penetrative Sexual Assault Will Not Weaken Victim's Testimony: Punjab & Haryana High Court

Live Law  

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has said that in case of penetrative sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, victim's testimony cannot be question merely on the ground that no semen is detected in the DNA report.Bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Sudeepti Sharma said, "when in the event of any penetrative sexual …

Child's Testimony Can't Be Brushed Aside, Punjab & Haryana HC Upholds Teacher's Conviction For Sexually Assaulting Student In School
3 months, 1 week ago

Child's Testimony Can't Be Brushed Aside, Punjab & Haryana HC Upholds Teacher's Conviction For Sexually Assaulting Student In School

Live Law  

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld the conviction of a school teacher for sexually assaulting a class 8th student under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, while noting that the "occurrence took place in school premises. "Justice Amarjot Bhatti said, "as per facts of the case, it is fully covered under the provisions of Section 9 …

Karnataka HC To Consider Whether POCSO Act Is Gender Neutral Or Not, Stays Proceedings Against Woman Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minor
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Karnataka HC To Consider Whether POCSO Act Is Gender Neutral Or Not, Stays Proceedings Against Woman Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minor

Live Law  

While staying further proceedings in a POCSO Act case registered against a 52-year-old woman on a complaint by the parents of a minor boy, the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday orally said that considering the case was against a woman it would have to lay down whether the law is gender neutral or not. Senior Advocate Hashmath Pasha appearing for …

20 Yrs Sentence U/S 4(2) POCSO Act Can't Be Imposed When Accused Was Booked Only U/S 4: Gauhati High Court
3 months, 2 weeks ago

20 Yrs Sentence U/S 4(2) POCSO Act Can't Be Imposed When Accused Was Booked Only U/S 4: Gauhati High Court

Live Law  

The Gauhati High Court at Aizwal recently set aside the judgment and sentence order passed by a Trial Court under Section 4 of the POCSO Act, on the ground the charge was framed without specifying the charge to be under 4 or 4 of the POCSO Act and the Trial Court did not put any preliminary questions to the victim …

Conviction Under Wrong Provision Of POCSO Act: Patna High Court Orders Release Of Sexagenarian After 10 Years, Enhances Victim's Compensation
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Conviction Under Wrong Provision Of POCSO Act: Patna High Court Orders Release Of Sexagenarian After 10 Years, Enhances Victim's Compensation

Live Law  

The Patna High Court has ordered the release of a man in his sixties, previously convicted by a Sessions Court for the rape of his 12-year-old niece, citing the application of a wrong provision of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Learned Trial Court has not noticed the facts that the alleged offence has been committed in …

Patna High Court Acquits Rape Accused, Finds Victim's Testimony Unreliable
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Patna High Court Acquits Rape Accused, Finds Victim's Testimony Unreliable

Live Law  

The Patna High Court has acquitted an accused in a rape case, finding the victim's testimony to be unreliable. The Court noted that the victim's statement in court significantly differed from her initial written statement to the police, and there were serious contradictions in both her statement and her conduct, making her untrustworthy. As a result, the Court held that …

Withholding Rape Victim's Medico Legal Report Raises Adverse Presumption Against Prosecution Case: Patna HC Acquits Life Convict After 12 Yrs
4 months ago

Withholding Rape Victim's Medico Legal Report Raises Adverse Presumption Against Prosecution Case: Patna HC Acquits Life Convict After 12 Yrs

Live Law  

The Patna High Court has acquitted a man 12 years after conviction for rape, while observing that withholding a rape victim's medico-legal examination report raises adverse presumption against the prosecution's case. More so, when the informant was examined by doctors at Banka and Bhagalpur hospital withholding the medico legal examination's report raises adverse presumption against the proseuction case. Even suggestion …

Adult Sexual Predators Ought Not To Be Afforded Leeway By Micro Analysis Of Child Victim's Testimony: Sikkim High Court
4 months ago

Adult Sexual Predators Ought Not To Be Afforded Leeway By Micro Analysis Of Child Victim's Testimony: Sikkim High Court

Live Law  

The Sikkim High Court recently set aside the judgment of a Trial Court by which it acquitted a person charged with Sections 9 and 9 of POCSO Act and Section 354 of IPC on the ground that Trial Court was in error in acquitting the accused despite the unwavering evidence of the child victim on record and her evidence being …

Rape Victim Testimony Not Vitiated By Mere Lack Of Medical Evidence But Courts Must Be On Guard Against False Implication Of Accused: Jharkhand HC
6 months, 1 week ago

Rape Victim Testimony Not Vitiated By Mere Lack Of Medical Evidence But Courts Must Be On Guard Against False Implication Of Accused: Jharkhand HC

Live Law  

The Jharkhand High Court has reiterated that sexual assaults, typically not occurring in public, do not necessitate corroboration in every instance. The court highlighted that unless a victim's testimony contains something significantly unusual, it should not be dismissed solely for lack of medical evidence. The division bench, led by Justices Ananda Sen and Gautam Kumar Choudhary, noted, “At the outset, …

POCSO Act | Child Victim Of Traumatic Sexual Assault Must Not Be Repeatedly Called To Testify In Court : Supreme Court
6 months, 2 weeks ago

POCSO Act | Child Victim Of Traumatic Sexual Assault Must Not Be Repeatedly Called To Testify In Court : Supreme Court

Live Law  

Recently, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea of an accused in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012 seeking recall of the victim under Section 311 of CrPC who was already cross-examined by the defence.The Court said that once the defence was granted ample opportunities to cross-examine the victim than the victim could not …

Badlapur sexual assault case: Maharashtra Bandh to FIR against school for not complying with POCSO Act
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Badlapur sexual assault case: Maharashtra Bandh to FIR against school for not complying with POCSO Act

Live Mint  

Badlapur sexual assault case: An FIR against the school authorities, for not complying with the provisions of section 19 of the POCSO Act, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of two fourth-grade girls at a school in Badlapur, Maharashtra. The SIT in the case said, “FIR registered against the school authorities for not complying to the provisions of section …

'How Can POCSO Act Offence Be Termed Romantic?' : Supreme Court Slams HC Suggestion To Decriminalise 'Consensual' Sex Involving Older Teens
6 months, 3 weeks ago

'How Can POCSO Act Offence Be Termed Romantic?' : Supreme Court Slams HC Suggestion To Decriminalise 'Consensual' Sex Involving Older Teens

Live Law  

The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticized the Calcutta High Court for observing in a judgment that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 must be amended to decriminalise consensual sexual acts involving adolescents above sixteen years. The Supreme Court further expressed disapproval of the High Court's suggestion that an exception must be carved out for "non-exploitative" sexual acts …

[POCSO] Accused's Culpable Mental State Cannot Be Considered At Pre-Trial Stage: Kerala High Court Dismisses Discharge Plea
6 months, 3 weeks ago

[POCSO] Accused's Culpable Mental State Cannot Be Considered At Pre-Trial Stage: Kerala High Court Dismisses Discharge Plea

Live Law  

The Kerala High Court has held that the culpable mental state of the accused cannot be considered at the pre-trial stage when the prosecution makes out a prima facie case. The Court was considering whether culpable mental state under the POCSO Act could be considered at the time of discharge or quashment of the proceedings against the accused. It stated …

[S.4 POCSO Act] Guilt Can Be Established Based On Victim's Uncorroborated Statement Provided It Is Cogent & Relevant: Gauhati HC
7 months ago

[S.4 POCSO Act] Guilt Can Be Established Based On Victim's Uncorroborated Statement Provided It Is Cogent & Relevant: Gauhati HC

Live Law  

The Gauhati High Court recently upheld a conviction passed by the Trial Court under Section 4 of the POCSO Act, by observing that in case of a sexual offence, the finding of guilt can be recorded even on the basis of an uncorroborated statement of the victim provided the same is cogent and relevant. The single-judge bench of Justice Malasri …

Woman can also commit penetrative sexual assault in Pocso cases: Delhi HC
7 months, 1 week ago

Woman can also commit penetrative sexual assault in Pocso cases: Delhi HC

Hindustan Times  

The Delhi high court on Friday held that the offence of penetrative sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act can also be invoked against a woman. The court expanded the ambit of the provision while dealing with a plea filed by a woman challenging a city court’s March 2024 order of framing charges of penetrative sexual …

[S. 33(2) POCSO Act] Mode Of Examination Through Intermediary Remains Unchanged Even If Victim Attains Majority During Trial: Kerala HC
7 months, 2 weeks ago

[S. 33(2) POCSO Act] Mode Of Examination Through Intermediary Remains Unchanged Even If Victim Attains Majority During Trial: Kerala HC

Live Law  

The Kerala High Court has held that the mode of examining a victim through the Special Court in a POCSO case as per Section 33 of the POCSO Act remains unchanged even if the victim attains the age of majority during the trial. Section 33 of the POCSO Act mandates that the Special Public Prosecutor or the defence counsel shall …

POCSO Act Often Misused To Settle Personal Scores, Even In Matrimonial Disputes False Accusations Made To Deny Custody To Father: Kerala HC
8 months, 1 week ago

POCSO Act Often Misused To Settle Personal Scores, Even In Matrimonial Disputes False Accusations Made To Deny Custody To Father: Kerala HC

Live Law  

The Kerala High Court has cautioned the Police officers as well as Courts to be vigilant against people with ill motivations who misuse the provisions of Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act to settle personal scores. Even in matrimonial disputes, it said, minor children are used for alleging POCSO offences so the father of the child would not get …

Allahabad HC Raises Concern Over Misuse Of POCSO Act Against Teenagers Involved In Consensual Romantic Relations
8 months, 1 week ago

Allahabad HC Raises Concern Over Misuse Of POCSO Act Against Teenagers Involved In Consensual Romantic Relations

Live Law  

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday raised concerns over the misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, particularly in consensual romantic relationships between teenagers. A bench of Justice Krishan Pahal added that while dealing with such cases, the challenge lies in distinguishing between genuine cases of exploitation and those involving consensual relationships, and this requires a …

No Parent In Our Society Can Damage Reputation Of Their Daughter Regarding Her Chastity: Patna High Court Upholds Rape Conviction
8 months, 2 weeks ago

No Parent In Our Society Can Damage Reputation Of Their Daughter Regarding Her Chastity: Patna High Court Upholds Rape Conviction

Live Law  

The Patna High Court while deciding on a criminal appeal against the conviction of appellant under Section 3 POCSO Act for penetrative sexual assault and under Section 376 IPC for rape, observed, The appellant claimed that he was falsely implicated for extortion of money and getting the victim married to him. However, the Court acquitted the appellant under Section 3 …

Man acquitted of sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl
9 months ago

Man acquitted of sexually assaulting 13-year-old girl

Hindustan Times  

MUMBAI: A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act court on Thursday acquitted a 28-year-old booked for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2018. HT Image Additional sessions judge Kalana Patil observed that the prosecution failed to prove the charges under Section 8 of the POCSO Act and section 354 of the Indian Penal Code against the man. As …

[S. 33(5) POCSO Act] Child Witness Cannot Be Recalled To Fill Up Lacuna And Omission In Evidence Of Accused: Kerala High Court
9 months, 3 weeks ago

[S. 33(5) POCSO Act] Child Witness Cannot Be Recalled To Fill Up Lacuna And Omission In Evidence Of Accused: Kerala High Court

Live Law  

The Kerala High Court held that a child witness cannot be recalled for cross-examination by the accused to fill the lacuna or omission in their case as per Section 33 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. However, in such cases, it should be established that such recalling is absolutely necessary for the just decision of the …

POCSO Act | Charge Of Penetrative Sexual Assault Can Be Invoked In Case Of Non-Tear Of Hymen: Gauhati High Court
11 months ago

POCSO Act | Charge Of Penetrative Sexual Assault Can Be Invoked In Case Of Non-Tear Of Hymen: Gauhati High Court

Live Law  

The Gauhati High Court has made it clear that the charge of penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act can be invoked even on slightest penetration and it is not necessary to show victim's hymen-tear in such cases. It thus set aside the judgement of a trial court by which it acquitted an accused in a criminal case registered under …

Any Person Regardless Of Gender & Age Can Be Accused Under POCSO Act: Kerala High Court Refuses To Quash Case Against Minor
1 year ago

Any Person Regardless Of Gender & Age Can Be Accused Under POCSO Act: Kerala High Court Refuses To Quash Case Against Minor

Live Law  

The Kerala High Court has held that any person regardless of gender and age can be an accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.It thus refused to quash the proceedings pending under the Act against a minor. The Kerala High Court has held that any person regardless of gender and age can be an accused under …

[POCSO Act] Kerala HC Upholds Conviction Of Father Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 9-Yr-Old Daughter, Says Life-Sentence Imposed By Trial Court Not Disproportionate
1 year ago

[POCSO Act] Kerala HC Upholds Conviction Of Father Accused Of Sexually Assaulting 9-Yr-Old Daughter, Says Life-Sentence Imposed By Trial Court Not Disproportionate

Live Law  

The Kerala High Court in a recent POCSO matter rejected the appeal of an accused who was convicted for committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault on his nine-year-old daughter. The Court also rejected the argument of the accused that the sentence imposed of 5 years under the POCSO Act, and 1 year under the IPC, was disproportionate to the gravity of …

S.19 POCSO Act Doesn't Obligate Doctor To "Investigate And Gather Knowledge" Of Sexual Assault To Report It To Police: Karnataka High Court
1 year ago

S.19 POCSO Act Doesn't Obligate Doctor To "Investigate And Gather Knowledge" Of Sexual Assault To Report It To Police: Karnataka High Court

Live Law  

The Karnataka High Court has held that Sections 19 and 21 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act puts an obligation on a doctor to inform the relevant authorities when she/he has knowledge of an offence under the Act. The prosecution opposed the plea saying as the material placed on record by the prosecution do establish the knowledge …

Chain Of Circumstances Must Unerringly Point Towards Guilt Of Accused: Patna High Court Sets Aside Rape And Murder Conviction
1 year, 1 month ago

Chain Of Circumstances Must Unerringly Point Towards Guilt Of Accused: Patna High Court Sets Aside Rape And Murder Conviction

Live Law  

The Patna High Court has overturned a judgment of conviction and order of sentence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, while stressing the importance of establishing a clear and unerring chain of circumstances pointing unequivocally to the guilt of the accused. The division bench of Justices Alok Kumar Pandey and Ashutosh Kumar underscored, "We can test the …

Victim's Age Not Proved, POCSO Offence Not Established: Madras HC Sets Aside Man's Conviction For Allegedly Raping Neighbour On False Promise To Marry
1 year, 1 month ago

Victim's Age Not Proved, POCSO Offence Not Established: Madras HC Sets Aside Man's Conviction For Allegedly Raping Neighbour On False Promise To Marry

Live Law  

The Madras High Court recently set aside the conviction and sentence imposed on a man accused of allegedly committing sexual assault on his neighbour on the false promise to marry. Justice KK Ramakrishnan observed that the prosecution had failed to prove the age of the victim girl to constitute an offence under the Prevention of Children From Sexual Offences Act. …

S. 22 POCSO Act| Child Can't Be Prosecuted For Perjury For False Allegations Of Rape: J&K High Court
1 year, 2 months ago

S. 22 POCSO Act| Child Can't Be Prosecuted For Perjury For False Allegations Of Rape: J&K High Court

Live Law  

Emphasising the protection of minors in cases involving false allegations of rape the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has held that a minor cannot be prosecuted for perjury for making false allegations of rape. Citing Section 22 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act Act, protecting children from punishment for false information Justice Rajesh Oswal observed, …

'Testimony Of Victim Does Not Inspire Confidence & Remains Uncorroborated': Gauhati High Court Sets Aside POCSO Conviction
1 year, 2 months ago

'Testimony Of Victim Does Not Inspire Confidence & Remains Uncorroborated': Gauhati High Court Sets Aside POCSO Conviction

Live Law  

The Gauhati High Court recently set aside the conviction of a man under Section 4 of the POCSO Act passed by the Trial Court, by giving him the benefit of the doubt on the ground that the testimony of the victim girl remained uncorroborated. The single-judge bench of Justice Mridul Kumar Kalita observed: “……considering the fact that the testimony of …

POCSO Act | Punjab & Haryana High Court Upholds Convict's Life Sentence Based On Solely Testimony Of 13-Yr Old Victim
1 year, 3 months ago

POCSO Act | Punjab & Haryana High Court Upholds Convict's Life Sentence Based On Solely Testimony Of 13-Yr Old Victim

Live Law  

Basing the proof of charge on solitary, unblemished testimony of the victim, the Punjab & Haryana High Court upheld conviction and life imprisonment of a man for committing rape upon a 13-year old girl in Haryana. The Division Bench of Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Kuldeep Tiwari rejected the contention that testimony of the victim lost credibility because her mother …

Court Can Draw Adverse Inference Against Prosecution For Non-Examination Of Material Witness: Patna High Court Acquits Life Convicts
1 year, 4 months ago

Court Can Draw Adverse Inference Against Prosecution For Non-Examination Of Material Witness: Patna High Court Acquits Life Convicts

Live Law  

In a significant legal development, the Patna High Court, acquitted the accused persons in a murder case, setting aside their conviction. One of the primary issues before the Court was whether the non-examination of material witnesses, namely Rahul Paswan, Ghamri Ansari, and Sanju Singh, who had assisted the informant in rescuing the deceased from the pond and were alleged to …

Gauhati High Court Overturns POCSO Conviction Citing Victim's "Sketchy" Evidence, Says No Proof Of Sexual Assault Detected In Medical Exam
1 year, 5 months ago

Gauhati High Court Overturns POCSO Conviction Citing Victim's "Sketchy" Evidence, Says No Proof Of Sexual Assault Detected In Medical Exam

Live Law  

The Gauhati High Court recently set aside a conviction under the POCSO Act, holding that the statements of the victim were contradictory and no evidence of sexual assault was detected by the medical officer who examined the victim. The Court observed that the victim’s claim of sexual assault is not substantiated by the evidence of the Medical Officer as no …

S.34(2) POCSO Act Mandatory, Trial Court Bound To Determine Victim's Age When Issue Raised By Accused: Patna High Court
1 year, 5 months ago

S.34(2) POCSO Act Mandatory, Trial Court Bound To Determine Victim's Age When Issue Raised By Accused: Patna High Court

Live Law  

The Patna High Court has overturned conviction in a case involving sexual offenses against a minor due to the failure of the trial court to determine the victim's age, after an issue in that regard was raised by the accused. The Court emphasized that it is the trial court's duty to ascertain the age of the victim, especially when it …

POCSO Act is a gender-neutral legislation: Delhi High Court
1 year, 7 months ago

POCSO Act is a gender-neutral legislation: Delhi High Court

The Hindu  

The Delhi High Court has said that the POCSO Act is a gender-neutral legislation while rejecting an assertion that the law is being "misused" as it is a "gender based" enactment. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma took exception to the submission made by an accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act seeking to cross-examine the victim again before …

POCSO Act Is Gender Neutral, Misleading To Argue ‘It Is Gender-Based Legislation And Is Being Misused’: Delhi High Court
1 year, 7 months ago

POCSO Act Is Gender Neutral, Misleading To Argue ‘It Is Gender-Based Legislation And Is Being Misused’: Delhi High Court

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court has observed that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, is a gender-neutral legislation and that it is insensitive to argue that the law is being misused.While dealing with a POCSO case where the accused submitted that the enactment is a gender-based law and therefore is being misused, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said:“To say …

Accused’s Right To Cross Examine Witness At More Higher Pedestal Under POCSO Act In View Of Harsh Punishment For Offences: Delhi High Court
1 year, 8 months ago

Accused’s Right To Cross Examine Witness At More Higher Pedestal Under POCSO Act In View Of Harsh Punishment For Offences: Delhi High Court

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court has observed that the right of an accused to cross examine a witness is at a “higher pedestal” under the POCSO Act in view of the serious nature of offences and harsh punishment prescribed under the statute. While granting an accused the opportunity to cross examine a prosecution witness in a POCSO case, Justice Tushar Rao …

Undressing & Sleeping Over Minor Victim, Asking To Penetrate Her Private Part Amounts To ‘Sexual Assault’, Not Rape: Orissa High Court
1 year, 8 months ago

Undressing & Sleeping Over Minor Victim, Asking To Penetrate Her Private Part Amounts To ‘Sexual Assault’, Not Rape: Orissa High Court

Live Law  

The Orissa High Court has recently held that undressing a girl under the age of 12 years, sleeping over her and merely asking her to penetrate her private part with male organ of the accused does not amount to rape. or ‘penetrative sexual assault’ as defined in section 3 of the POCSO Act.” The Prosecution Case The victim was five …

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