#victim protection

Madhya Pradesh High Court directs expedited trial under POCSO Act, mandates victim transport and protection, and coordinates witness security in bail withdrawal order.

Madhya Pradesh High Court suspends jail sentence of convicts under Sections 354, 452, and 323 IPC pending appeal, but imposes strict no-contact and locality restrictions on the appellants to protect the victim. The ruling reinforces that bail under Section 430 BNSS must balance appellate rights with victim safety, setting a precedent for conditional suspension of sentences in criminal appeals.

Chhattisgarh High Court rules that once a POCSO victim has been fully cross-examined, BNSS Section 348 and Supreme Court precedent prohibit re-cross-examination, even if new evidence emerges later. The decision reinforces statutory protections for victims while balancing fair trial rights, setting a clear threshold for recall applications in sexual offence cases.

Telangana High Court mandates constitution of a Medical Board within 24 hours to assess the feasibility of abortion for a 13-year-old POCSO victim, reinforcing victim rights under the MTP Act and constitutional guarantees. The ruling sets a precedent for expedited medical evaluations in cases involving minors and advanced pregnancies.

Gujarat HC refuses termination in the third trimester due to neonatal risks but mandates state-funded medical care, NICU support, and adoption custody arrangements. The ruling balances fetal viability with victim welfare, setting a precedent for state responsibility in high-risk pregnancies.

The Madras High Court held that recalling a POCSO victim to resolve contradictions in a parent’s testimony is impermissible under Section 33(5) of the POCSO Act, as it constitutes re-traumatization. The court emphasized that prior cross-examination of the victim suffices, and alternative remedies must be exhausted before considering recall, reinforcing procedural safeguards for child victims in sexual abuse cases.