“Raped her physically and mentally”; Gujarat Court sentences man to rigorous life imprisonment for raping and impregnating minor daughter
“The Court has no words to describe its anguish against the heinous act of the victim’s father.”
sexual assault
‘Complainant’s manipulative nature clearly established’; SC quashes FIR against person accused of sexual intercourse under false promise of marriage
The Court opined that the chats depicted the stark reality about the behavioural pattern of the complainant who appeared to be having manipulative and vindictive tendency.
Supreme Court dismisses petition challenging 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment given to convict under S. 6 of POCSO Act
The Trial Court hadn’t given any separate sentence to the convict under Sections 376(3), 377, 506 of the IPC and Section 4 of the POCSO Act in view of Section 42 of the POCSO Act.
Pioneering SOP on Collection and Processing of Forensic Evidence unveiled in Goa on World DNA Day
The Standard Operating Procedures on Collection and Processing of Scientific/Forensic Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases were officially released at the Police Headquarters in Panjim, Goa on the 26-04-2025. Spearheaded by Prof. (Dr.) Pinky Anand, Senior Advocate and Former ASG of India, the initiative marks a critical advancement in bridging the teething gaps in the criminal justice system when it comes to forensic investigations and evidence collection.
‘Deserves some reprieve in matter of sentence’; Chhattisgarh HC reduces sentence of man convicted under S. 377 IPC for sodomizing his friend after watching porn
Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, overall evidence adduced by the prosecution, the mode and manner in which the incident had taken place, the Court opined that some reprieve in the matter of sentence deserved to be given to the convict who had been incarcerated since more than four years.
Delhi High Court sets aside charge u/s 21 POCSO Act against mother for delay in reporting sexual assault of her child by father
The Court stated that when the mother herself was living under constant fear, abuse, and violence inflicted by the same man, who had assaulted her child, her capacity to protect, act, or even process the truth is also deeply impaired. It is vital to understand the state of helplessness and paralysis that may result in such a traumatic environment.
SC stays Allahabad HC decision which held that grabbing breasts & breaking minor’s pajama string is not attempt to rape
The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter after an NGO ‘We the Women of India’ approached the Court against the impugned decision.
Law with ‘greater degree’ of punishment applies when convicted under IPC and POCSO both: Supreme Court
“The provisions of Section 42A of POCSO Act, cannot be interpreted so as to override the scope and ambit of enabling provision, i.e., Section 42 of POCSO Act.”
CRIMINAL LAW ROUNDUP: A quick recap of the top criminal cases from January 2025
Top criminal cases on quashing of proceedings, arrest, bail, acquittal, and more.
Kerala HC expands Nodal Officer’s jurisdiction to receive & forward complaints of Malayalam film industry victims not presented before Justice Hema Committee
A Nodal Officer has been appointed in the Malayalam Film Industry Case for complainants receiving threatening calls and those who had not filed complaints before the Justice Hema Committee.
From Death Row to Life: Supreme Court commutes sentence of man convicted for Sexual assault and murder of 4-year-old boy
“The crime committed by the convict was diabolic in character. He enticed the innocent child by tempting him with ice-cream and brutally sodomized and murdered the four-year old. The appellant also mercilessly strangulated the deceased. The post-mortem report clearly indicated that death was due to asphyxia by throttling”.
‘Men have pride and dignity too’: Kerala HC grants bail to actor-director Balachandra Menon in 2007 sexual assault case
“Based on the statement of a lady, that also after 17 years, the present case is registered. It is true that the investigation is going on. But, everybody must remember that the pride and dignity is not only to woman, but to men also.”
Where offence shakes public confidence, bail shall not be granted: Kerala HC denies bail to police officer accused of raping minor Dalit girl
“Bail is a rule, and jail is an exception, but the accused involved in offences, which are grave, serious and heinous, fall within the exception and not the rule.”
‘Tampering with complaint raises concerns about integrity of investigation’; Calcutta HC cancels bail granted to accused in sexual assault case of IAS Officer’s wife
‘The bail application of an accused for offence under Section 64 of BNS cannot be heard and disposed of without giving the victim an opportunity to be heard.’
HIGH COURT SEPTEMBER 2024 WEEKLY ROUNDUP| Stories on Lawyer’s Custodial Assault; Medical Certificates for Parole; Compassionate Appointment; SSB Medical Exam; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
‘Compensation is essential part of curing justice’; Delhi HC enhances compensation to Rs. 10.5 lakh for minor victim of sexual assault by father
Although the offence of ‘aggravated sexual assault’ was not mentioned in the compensation scheme, the Court referred to the offence of ‘unnatural sexual assault’ to determine the quantum of compensation.
‘Victim was below the age of 16 years’; Bombay HC sets aside Children’s Court order discharging father of allegedly committing sexual assault on daughter
The Court remanded the matter back to the Children’s Court, directed the Sessions Court/POCSO Court to handover the charge sheet to the Children’s Court and the case registered before the Children’s Court was thus restored.
Read why Gujarat HC dismissed Asaram Bapu’s plea for suspension of life sentence in rape case
Asaram Bapu was sentenced to life imprisonment for offences punishable under Sections 376 and 377 of the IPC for raping a sevika at Surat Ashram, in the name of her promotion as an orator for religious discourses.
Necessary to give message to society that Courts are vigilant to regulate forcible religious conversion of underprivileged women & children: Karnataka HC
The Court further pointed out that while considering the bail applications, the factors which are required to be considered are nature of offence, gravity thereof and societal impact etc.
‘Consent derived in fear of injury or misconception of fact is no consent’: Bombay HC refuses to quash proceedings against accused for offences including rape
The Court noted that Section 90 of IPC does not define the term “consent”, but the law does not see “consent derived from a fear of injury and misconception of fact” as consent.