Kerala HC on POCSO: Placement of penis on vagina constitutes penetrative sexual assault

In Shaji v. State of Kerala, the Kerala High Court upheld the conviction of an accused for aggravated penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act and rape under the IPC. The Court observed that under Section 3 POCSO Act, even the slightest penetration is sufficient to constitute penetrative sexual assault. Distinguishing the offence from sexual assault under Section 7 POCSO Act, the Court explained how the facts, testimony of the child victim, and surrounding evidence supported the conviction.