#minor victim

The High Court upheld the Section 6 POCSO conviction for kidnapping and sexual assault of a minor but held the 30-year simple imprisonment sentence statutorily impermissible and disproportionate. It reduced the sentence to 15 years rigorous imprisonment, factoring in the appellant's youth at the time of offence, clean record, and over 11 years already incarcerated.

MP High Court invokes inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 BNSS to quash POCSO proceedings where the victim (17) and accused (21) entered a voluntary compromise, verified by the Principal Registrar. The ruling reinforces that courts may intervene to prevent judicial futility, even in special statutes, when parties resolve disputes amicably without coercion.

Bombay High Court grants ad-interim anticipatory bail to an 18-year-old accused in a POCSO case, emphasizing the narrow age gap (18 vs. 15) and the accused’s student status. The ruling sets a precedent for bail considerations where the accused is barely above the legal age of majority, balancing victim protection with proportionality in sentencing.

Jharkhand High Court allows medical termination of pregnancy beyond 24 weeks for a 14-year-old rape victim, citing severe psychological trauma and Medical Board opinion. The ruling mandates state responsibility for expenses and fetal tissue preservation for DNA testing, setting a precedent for similar cases under the MTP Act.

The Bombay High Court affirmed that conviction under Section 6 of the POCSO Act for attempt to rape a minor is valid even without medical evidence of penetration, emphasizing that the act of attempted sexual assault against a child is itself a grave offense under the law. This ruling reinforces the Act’s child-centric intent and expands prosecutorial leverage in cases where physical evidence is absent due to the victim’s age or delayed reporting.

MP High Court mandates constitution of a Medical Board to assess termination feasibility for minor sexual assault victims under the MTP Act, reinforcing procedural safeguards for reproductive rights. The ruling underscores the court's role in ensuring timely medical and legal intervention for vulnerable minors.

The Bombay High Court held that school records constitute conclusive evidence of a victim's age under the POCSO Act, even when the victim's own testimony contradicts it. This reinforces that documentary proof from official institutions overrides inconsistent oral accounts, ensuring consistent protection for minors regardless of testimonial reliability or lack of medical evidence.

Bombay High Court permits termination of pregnancy at 27 weeks for a 12-year-old victim, holding that psychological health and social reputation override statutory gestational limits under the MTP Act. The ruling sets a precedent for judicial discretion in cases involving minors, emphasizing the need to prevent irreparable mental harm and family stigma.

Chhattisgarh High Court upholds conviction under POCSO Act based on mother's testimony and medical evidence, affirming that corroboration is not mandatory when the victim is a minor below 12 years.