#Child Witness Evidence

The Delhi High Court set aside a life-sentence for sexual assault, ruling that a child victim’s inconsistent testimony cannot alone satisfy the evidentiary burden under the IPC and POCSO Act without supporting forensic evidence. The decision underscores that corroboration is mandatory for convictions based solely on child witness statements.

The Delhi High Court ruled that a Section 164 statement remains valid even if a parent assists as interpreter, and that PoCSO’s interpreter requirement is fulfilled by any person competent in the child’s mode of communication. This expands admissibility of child-witness testimony and clarifies interpreter qualifications for future PoCSO sexual-offence cases, affecting prosecutors and defence counsel.