{"id":372592,"date":"2026-01-14T12:30:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T07:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=372592"},"modified":"2026-01-14T16:23:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T10:53:41","slug":"judgments-crimes-against-women-children-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/01\/14\/judgments-crimes-against-women-children-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Law Roundup (Part 2) | Must-Read 2025 Judgments on Crimes Against Women and Children That Made Headlines"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The year witnessed several landmark judgments on crimes against women and children in 2025 addressing some of the most sensitive and complex questions concerning crimes against women and children. From sexual offences and reproductive rights to child protection, digital safety, trafficking, and dignity at the workplace, Courts across the country were repeatedly called upon for protection of the vulnerable. In cases involving minors, the judiciary has reiterated that childhood is a protected zone which the law must guard with heightened sensitivity, zero tolerance for abuse, and uncompromising accountability.<\/p>\n<h2>TOP STORIES<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: disc;\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/09\/01\/supreme-court-stays-rajasthan-high-court-adverse-remarks-pocso-judge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SUPREME COURT| Rajasthan High Court\u2019s directions containing adverse remarks against POCSO Judge stayed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/01\/08\/application-force-with-intent-to-outrage-modesty-of-woman-for-offence-under-s-354-ipc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SUPREME COURT | \u2018Application of force must be with intent to outrage modesty of woman\u2019; Proceedings against man for offence under S. 354 and 506 IPC, quashed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/07\/chhattisgarh-hc-refuses-relief-accused-who-sought-permission-examine-social-media-victim\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | Victim\u2019s right to privacy upheld; Accused denied permission to examine her social media in Court<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/01\/29\/sexual-assault-against-minors-attacks-their-innocence-sense-of-safety-leave-permanent-psychological-scars-dhc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DELHI HIGH COURT | Sexual assault against minors also attacks their innocence and sense of safety; often leave permanent psychological scars; Bail application of POCSO accused, dismissed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/02\/20\/bomhc-upholds-former-army-officers-sentence-under-pocso-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT | \u2018Victim sensed a bad touch, so her instinct must be believed\u2019; Former Army Officer\u2019s sentence under POCSO Act, upheld<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/12\/24\/del-hc-issues-directions-on-misuse-of-victim-compensation-scheme-in-sexual-offences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DELHI HIGH COURT | Directions against misuse of victim compensation scheme in sexual offences issued<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/12\/08\/bom-hc-prior-relationship-no-defence-for-objectionable-posts-outraging-modesty-stalking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Prior relationship or lending money not a license for Objectionable Posts; Conduct may amount to \u2018outraging modesty\u2019 &amp; \u2018stalking\u2019<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/17\/bomhc-directs-enquiry-into-new-year-party-in-shelter-home-2012\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Enquiry directed into 2012\u2019s New Year eve party with liquor at children\u2019s shelter home<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/04\/rajasthan-high-court-steps-in-to-protect-rights-of-youth-in-shelter-homes-and-abandoned-care-leavers-issues-comprehensive-directives-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Comprehensive directives directed after steps in to protect rights of youth in Shelter Homes and abandoned care leavers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>ADULTERY<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">PATNA HIGH COURT<\/span> | <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Isolated acts of immorality not \u2018living in adultery\u2019; Plea filed by husband against maintenance order, dismissed<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In a Criminal Revision Petition filed by the petitioner against the order of the Family Court to pay maintenance to his wife and daughter, alleging adultery by his wife and disputing paternity of the daughter, the single judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Jitendra Kumar,* J.<\/span>, upheld the order of maintenance by the Family Court holding that,<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">\u201c\u2018Living in adultery\u2019 denotes a continuous course of conduct and not isolated acts of immorality\u201d.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/11\/isolated-acts-of-immorality-not-living-in-adultery-patna-hc-legal-news-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>ACQUITTAL<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">DELHI HIGH COURT | \u2018Law should evolve to acknowledge and respect adolescent relationships, if they are consensual and free from coercion\u2019; Acquittal of POCSO accused, upheld<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an application seeking leave to appeal challenging the judgment dated 10-02-2020, wherein the respondent (\u2018accused\u2019) was acquitted under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550519\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a>, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Jasmeet Singh, J.<\/span>, stated that the societal and legal views on adolescent love should emphasize the rights of young individuals to engage in romantic relationships that were free from exploitation and abuse. Love is a fundamental human experience, and adolescents have the right to form emotional connections. The law should evolve to acknowledge and respect these relationships, as long as they are consensual and free from coercion. Considering the overall factors, the Court stated that the impugned judgment dated 10-02-2020, was well reasoned and did not require any interference, and accordingly, dismissed the present appeal. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/02\/20\/law-should-evolve-to-acknowledge-and-respect-adolescent-relationships-if-they-are-consensual-and-free-from-coercion-delhi-hc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>BIGAMY<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">CHHATTISGARH HIGH COURT | Second wife who was single at the time of marriage cannot be prosecuted for bigamy under S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561845\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">494<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a petition filed under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804270\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">528<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804327\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNSS<\/a> for quashing the criminal proceedings for offences registered under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561845\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">494<\/a> read with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, a Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Arvind Kumar Verma, J.<\/span>, allowed the petition holding that the petitioner (\u2018second wife\u2019) could not be prosecuted under Section 494 as only the married person or the erring husband\/ wife would be held liable for bigamy. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/02\/07\/second-wife-who-was-single-cannot-be-prosecuted-for-bigamy-under-s-494-ipc-chhattisgarh-hc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>CONVICTION<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | Conviction of lawyer for outraging modesty of female judge during court proceedings, upheld<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a Special Leave Petition challenging the judgment of the Delhi High Court, which upheld the conviction of a lawyer for using abusive and inappropriate language towards a female judge during proceedings in a challan matter, the Division Bench of Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan, JJ. declined to grant any relief to the petitioner and refused to interfere with the impugned orders. However, at the request of counsel for the petitioner, the Court granted the petitioner two weeks\u2019 time to surrender. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/11\/supreme-court-upholds-lawyer-conviction-outraging-female-judge-modesty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | Husband can only be convicted for sexual intercourse with minor wife above 15 years after 2017; Allahabad HC sets aside conviction in 20-year-old case<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a criminal appeal filed against the judgment passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, wherein the convict was held guilty under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561682\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">363<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561687\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">366<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (\u2018IPC\u2019), a Single Judge Bench of Anil Kumar-X, J., acknowledged that the judgment in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Independent Thought<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/TFJIdrPV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2017) 10 SCC 800<\/a>, fundamentally changed the legal landscape for sexual intercourse with minors in the context of marriage. Prior to 2017, a man could not be convicted for marital intercourse with a minor wife aged 15-18, as it was exempted under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561700\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">375<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>. Post-2017, after the Independent Thought ruling, such intercourse with a minor wife is statutory rape, and consent does not matter. The Court found that in the present case, as the occurrence took place in 2005, the convict could not be held guilty under the laws as they stood at the time. Since the victim was above 16 years and the marriage was consensual, the Court held that the convict was not guilty of rape under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/10\/17\/husband-convicted-sexual-intercourse-minor-wife-2017-allahabad-hc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>CRIMINAL TRIAL<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT| \u201cLegal process cannot be misused to re-traumatise child abuse survivors\u201d: SC rejects POCSO convict\u2019s plea to recall 11-year-old niece for cross-examination.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal filed by a man convicted under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550528\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a> for aggravated penetrative sexual assault on his 11-year-old niece, the division bench of Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria, JJ. upheld the 20-year rigorous imprisonment sentence awarded by the Special POCSO Court and affirmed by the Gauhati High Court. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/09\/25\/sc-rejects-recall-child-victim-pocso-cross-exam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | Company considered as \u2018victim\u2019 within the ambit of S. 2(wa) read with Proviso to S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">372<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While considering this appeal by Asian Paints Ltd, (appellant) whereby the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Ahsanuddin Amanullah*<\/span> and Prashant Kumar Mishra, JJ., were faced with the question that whether the appellant would fall under the definition of \u2018victim\u2019 as per Section 2(wa) read with the proviso to Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">372<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> or whether Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519664\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">378<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> would prevail in the facts and circumstances of the present case. The Court opined that Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519448\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2(wa)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> does not define \u2018victim\u2019 in a narrow sense. The Court further stated that Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">372<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> is a self-contained and independent Section, i.e., it is a stand-alone Section and is not regulated by other provisions of Chapter XXIX of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> including Section 378. Thus, the right of a victim to prefer an appeal as granted under the proviso to Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">372<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> is not restricted by any other provision of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> Therefore, the Court opined that Appellant was a \u2018victim\u2019 as it suffered due to the counterfeit\/fake products being sold\/attempted to be sold as having been manufactured by the Appellant. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/23\/supreme-court-holds-company-as-victim-under-crpc-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>CRUELTY<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | \u201cAllegations of spending habits, household contribution, or mobile usage, without proof of severe mental harassment, not cruelty\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal filed by the husband against the Family Court\u2019s judgment whereby his application for divorce on the grounds of cruelty and desertion was rejected, the Division Bench of Vishal Dhagat and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">B. P. Sharma,*<\/span> JJ., upheld the impugned judgment, holding that there was no error or perversity warranting interference and the Family Court correctly held that the husband had failed to prove the grounds of cruelty and desertion. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/25\/mp-hc-spending-habits-household-contribution-mobile-usage-not-cruelty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Mere statements by parents about daughter\u2019s emotional distress not sufficient to establish cruelty under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal wherein the appellant-husband challenged his conviction and sentence under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561613\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">306<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Pune, on the ground that the evidence on record did not establish cruelty or abetment to suicide beyond reasonable doubt, a Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">M. M. Sathaye, J.<\/span>, quashed the judgment of conviction passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, and held that the necessary ingredient of cruelty likely to drive a woman to suicide or harassment to coerce unlawful demands was not clearly spelt out, much less proved. The Court noted that no instance of instigation was attributable to the husband and that there was also no proximate link between the event of suicide and the alleged demand for money. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/11\/bom-hc-mere-statements-of-unhappy-daughter-not-enough-to-prove-cruelty-s-498a-ipc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | \u201cDeriving pleasure from difficulties &amp; tension of other is cruelty\u201d: Divorce granted to woman after husband\u2019s refusal despite irretrievably broken marriage<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal filed by the wife against the Family Court\u2019s judgment whereby her divorce petition on the grounds of cruelty and desertion was rejected, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Vishal Dhagat*<\/span> and B.P. Sharma, JJ., allowed the appeal as well as the divorce petition, holding that the husband was treating the wife with cruelty by not giving her an option to live her life freely according to her choice and unnecessarily opposing the divorce when she was already living with another man. However, their marriage was invalid. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/26\/mp-hc-grants-divorce-to-wife-after-husbands-refusal-despite-irretrievably-broken-marriage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">DELHI HIGH COURT | Mere taunts, casual references, vague assertions or geeral family friction not \u201ccruelty\u201d under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a petition filed seeking quashing of FIR dated 13.05.2022 registered at Police Station Adarsh Nagar for offences under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498A<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561742\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">406<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> against the petitioners, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Amit Mahajan, J.<\/span>, quashed FIR and all consequential proceedings as the allegations against them were vague, general, and lacked material particulars, the petitioner\u2019s non-residence in the matrimonial home and absence of specific acts of cruelty or misappropriation ruled out any prima facie case; and continuing proceedings against them would amount to an abuse of process. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/06\/mere-taunts-not-cruelty-under-section-498a-delhi-high-court-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADRAS HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Elderly wife\u2019s silent suffering is not consent, marriage doesn\u2019t entitle men to unquestioned authority<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal filed under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, the wife, an octogenarian, challenged her husband\u2019s acquittal by the Appellate Court, seeking restoration of the Trial Court\u2019s conviction and six-month sentence. It was alleged that the conviction was based on a misreading of evidence and failure to consider sustained mental and emotional cruelty, A Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">L. Victoria Gowri, J.<\/span>, while allowing the criminal appeal, held that the Appellate Court misapplied the law by assuming that the absence of a dowry demand forecloses Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>. The Court emphasised that Explanation (a) of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> covers wilful conduct causing grave mental injury, and the Trial Court rightly convicted the husband based on sustained cruelty such as isolation, denial of food, religious obstruction, and financial coercion, corroborated by the police compromise. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/07\/mad-hc-men-not-entitled-to-unquestioned-authority-in-marriage\/%22%20\/t%20%22_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Refusing physical relations, accusing husband of affairs and humiliating him in front of his friends\/employees is cruelty<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the present appeal, the appellant-wife challenged the judgment passed by the Family Court on 28-11-2019, whereby her petition for the restitution of conjugal rights was dismissed and the counterclaim of the respondent-husband for divorce was allowed and the divorce was granted. The Division Bench of Revati Mohite Dere and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Dr. Neela Gokhale,*<\/span> JJ., opined that the wife\u2019s behaviour with his husband\u2019s employees, humiliating him in front of his friends, refusing sexual relations, and accusing him of extra-marital affairs were all instances of \u2018cruelty\u2019 that her husband was subjected to. The Court dismissed the appeal and held that the judgment passed by the Family Court was well-reasoned because the wife subjected her husband to cruelty and had deserted him. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/21\/refusing-physical-relations-accusing-of-affairs-humiliating-husband-is-cruelty-bom-hc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">DELHI HIGH COURT | Making derogatory and defamatory complaints to spouse\u2019s employer amounts to cruelty<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001572296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">19<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002808783\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Courts Act, 1984<\/a> challenging the decree of divorce passed under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001543733\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">13(1)(ia)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726956\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hindu Marriage Act, 1955<\/a> (\u2018HMA\u2019) by the Principal Judge, Family Courts, West District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi (\u2018Family Court\u2019), the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Renu Bhatnagar*<\/span> and Navin Chawla JJ., stated that the complaints made by wife to her husband\u2019s employer, especially those involving unsubstantiated claims of adultery, could not be treated to address the issues of any wrong done to her, as the husband\u2019s employer had nothing to do with all such wrongs. The Court stated that irrespective of the merits of these complaints, making such derogatory and defamatory remarks in the form of complaints to the spouse\u2019s employer were nothing but cruelty. Thus, the Court stated that there was no infirmity in the impugned judgment passed by the Family Court and accordingly, dismissed the appeal. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/29\/del-hc-derogatory-complaints-to-spouses-employer-cruelty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT | \u2018Taunts for dark complexion not grave enough to prove cruelty or abetment to suicide under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>\u2019; Husband acquitted<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The present criminal appeal was initiated by the appellant-husband, convicted by the Trial Court under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561613\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">306<\/a> read with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> for allegedly harassing his wife for dark complexion and abetting her suicide. A Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">S.M. Modak, J.<\/span>, allowed the appeal, holding that the prosecution could not prove the connection in between the harassment and the act of suicide. The Court observed that mere domestic quarrels, in absence of wilful conduct, could not be said to be of such a high degree so as to compel the wife to commit suicide. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/30\/bom-hc-holds-taunts-not-grave-enough-to-prove-cruelty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Husband\u2019s friend not a \u2018relative\u2019 under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the present case, the wife had filed an FIR under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (\u2018IPC\u2019), and had included the name of her husband\u2019s friend, who had instigated her husband to commit cruelty against her. The Division Bench of Anil L. Pansare and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">M.M. Nerlikar,*<\/span> JJ., held that a friend could not be said to be a relative as he was neither a blood relative nor had any relation through marriage or adoption. Thus, the Court quashed the FIR, emphasizing that a \u201cfriend\u201d was not a relative under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/05\/bom-hc-friend-not-relative-under-section-498a-ipc\/%22%20\/t%20%22_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">ANDHRA PRADESH HIGH COURT<\/span> | <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">False 498-A complaint and acquittal amount to \u2018mental cruelty\u2019: Divorce affirmed after 29 years of separation<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">An appeal was filed by the appellant (wife) against respondent (husband) challenging the decree of divorce dated 08-05-2006, passed by the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Guntur, under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001543733\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">13(1)(ia)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001543733\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">13(1)(ib)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726956\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hindu Marriage Act, 1955<\/a>, on the grounds of cruelty and desertion contending that the Trial Court erred in concluding that she had treated the respondent with cruelty. A divison bench of Ravinath Tilhari and Challa Gunaranjan, JJ., upheld the divorce in view of false implication in criminal case amounted to mental cruelty and furnished a ground for divorce under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/06\/andhra-pradesh-high-court-false-498a-mental-cruelty-divorce-ap-high-court-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADRAS HIGH COURT<\/span> | <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">\u2018Unsubstantiated sexual allegations against husband and father-in-law amounts to cruelty\u2019: Woman\u2019s Restitution of Conjugal Rights plea set aside, divorce granted<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a civil appeal filed under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001572296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">19<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002808783\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Courts Act, 1984<\/a>, read with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001543755\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">28<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726956\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hindu Marriage Act, 1955<\/a>, seeking to set aside the order and decree passed by the Additional Principal Family Court, Chennai, the Division Bench of J. Nisha Banu and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">R. Sakthivel,* J<\/span>J. set aside the orders of the Family Court. The petition filed by the husband seeking dissolution of marriage was allowed, while the petition filed by the wife for restitution of conjugal rights was dismissed. Consequently, the marriage between the parties was dissolved by a decree of divorce. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/18\/madras-hc-divorce-cruelty-unsubstantiated-sexual-allegations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">ANDHRA PRADESH HIGH COURT<\/span> | <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">[Transgender Rights] Whether S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> complaint by trans-woman in a heterosexual marriage is legally maintainable?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The instant petitions were filed by the petitioners (Accused Nos.1, 2 &amp; 3 and 4 respectively) under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">482<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> seeking quashment of proceedings against them in a complaint before the Court of II Additional Munsif Magistrate, Ongole, for the offence punishable under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> read with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> and Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001546434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002808049\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961<\/a>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa, J.<\/span>, quashed the criminal proceedings for lacking the essential ingredients to constitute the alleged offences and held that a trans woman in a heterosexual relationship has the right to be recognised as a woman and a spouse for the purposes of matrimonial and penal law. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/25\/andhra-pradesh-high-court-trans-woman-498a-heterosexual-marriage-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Forced Unnatural Sex not punishable under S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">377<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, but attracts S. 498-A if coupled with cruelty\/assault<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an application filed by the applicant-husband under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">482<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a>, seeking quashment of the FIR for offences punishable under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">377<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561632\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">323<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (IPC) and the consequent criminal proceedings in sessions trial, a single-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">G.S. Ahluwalia, J.<\/span>, partially allowed the applicant and held that the offence of marital rape, including forced unnatural sex, is not recognized under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">377<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, but such acts still attracts Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> if accompanied by cruelty or assault. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/31\/forced-unnatural-sex-not-punishable-u-s-377-ipc-but-attracts-s-498-a-if-coupled-with-cruelty-assault-mp-high-court-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>DOWRY DEATH<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | Reinforce constitutional position on marriage; Dowry Prohibition Officers: Issues directions for concentrated effort to eradicate evil of dowry<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While considering this challenge to the judgment of the Allahabad High Court acquitting the respondents for offences under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561611\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">304-B<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> and Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001546433\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3<\/a>\/<a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001546434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002808049\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961<\/a>, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Sanjay Karol*<\/span> and N. Kotiswar Singh, JJ., noted the rampant prevailing menace of dowry, ineffectiveness of the relevant laws and the misuse of Section 498-A and Dowry Prohibition Act and stated that, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">\u201cThis oscillation between ineffectiveness and misuse creates a judicial tension which needs urgent resolution\u201d.<\/span> Therefore, in order to bring about a concentrated effort to eradicate the evil of dowry on part of all the involved parties- Legislature, law enforcement, Judiciary, civil society organizations etc., the Court deemed it appropriate to issue directions. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/12\/16\/reinforce-constitutional-position-on-marriage-appoint-dowry-prohibition-officers-sc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT<\/span> | <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">\u2018Mere possibility of contrary view doesn\u2019t justify reversal of acquittal\u2019; Acquittal in Dowry Death case, upheld<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal filed by State of Rajasthan challenging the Additional Sessions Judge\u2019s judgment of acquittal under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561607\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">302<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561611\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">304-B<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> pertaining to murder and dowry death, but convicted the accused under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> for cruelty, a Division Bench of Sunil Beniwal and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati,*<\/span> JJ., upheld the acquittal of the accused under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561607\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">302<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561611\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">304-B<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> as prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The Court reiterated that in appeals against acquittal, the appellate court must respect plausible views taken by the trial court unless they are perverse or manifestly illegal. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/20\/mere-possibility-of-contrary-view-doesnt-justify-reversal-of-acquittal-raj-hc-upholds-acquittal-in-dowry-death-case-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Also Read:<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">GUJARAT HIGH COURT | Petty family quarrels do not amount to dowry harassment &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/10\/guj-hc-petty-family-quarrel-dowry-harassment-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">DELHI HIGH COURT | Mere crying of woman does not prove dowry harassment; upholds discharge of husband and in-laws in dowry death case \u2014 <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/21\/mere-crying-of-woman-does-not-prove-dowry-harassment-delhi-hc\/%22%20\/t%20%22_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>FALSE PROMISE TO MARRY<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | \u2018Complainant\u2019s manipulative nature clearly established\u2019; FIR against person accused of sexual intercourse under false promise of marriage, quashed<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While considering the instant appeal challenging Telangana High Court\u2019s refusal to quash the FIR filed against the accused in a false promise for marraige case for offences punishable under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376(2)(n)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> and Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561603\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3(2)(v)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002828505\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989<\/a>; the Division Bench of Vikram Nath and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Sandeep Mehta,*<\/span> JJ., set aside the impugned judgment and quashed the FIR against the accused. Perusing the facts of the case, the Court opined that allowing prosecution of the accused to continue in the impugned FIR would be nothing short of a travesty of justice in addition to being a gross abuse of the process of Court. The Court held that the impugned FIR was nothing but a bundle of lies full of fabricated and malicious unsubstantiated allegations levelled by the complainant. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/02\/fir-against-person-accused-of-having-sex-under-false-promise-of-marriage-supreme-court-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | \u2018A consensual relationship turning sour not ground for criminal prosecution\u2019: Rape case against 25-year-old, quashed<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal filed against the judgment of the Bombay High Court , wherein the petition under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">482<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> seeking quashing of criminal proceedings was dismissed, involving allegations under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376(2)(n)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">377<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561858\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">504<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">506<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, the Division Bench of B.V. Nagarathna and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Satish Chandra Sharma,*<\/span> JJ. observed that the present case did not involve a false promise to marry from the outset. The Court held that a consensual relationship, which subsequently deteriorates or results in estrangement between the parties, cannot form the basis for invoking the criminal machinery of the State. It further emphasised that such actions unnecessarily burden the courts and irreversibly damage the reputation of individuals accused of serious offences. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/02\/supreme-court-quashes-rape-case-consensual-relationship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">KERALA HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Prior consensual relationship does not amount to rape if accused marries another lady in search of \u2018greener pasture\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a case revolving around the question whether an eight-year long consensual relationship, allegedly induced by a promise of marriage, could be classified as rape, a Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">G. Girish, J.<\/span>, observed that the facts did not satisfy the essential requirements for prosecuting the accused for the offence of rape, and therefore, the proceedings against the accused were unsustainable and liable to be quashed. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/19\/prior-consensual-relationship-not-rape-if-accused-marries-another-lady-ker-hc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Also Read:<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | \u2018Possibility of accused exploiting victim\u2019s fear can\u2019t be ruled out\u2019; FIRs alleging rape on false promise of marriage, refused to be quashed \u2014 <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/07\/rajasthan-high-court-refuses-to-quash-firs-alleging-rape-on-false-promise-of-marriage-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT | \u2018No averment that he refused to marry her, or marriage wasn\u2019t possible\u2019; Man accused of raping fianc\u00e9 under false promise to marry, discharged \u2014 <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/29\/himachal-pradesh-hc-discharges-man-accused-raping-fianc-under-false-promise-to-marry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">PUNJAB AND HARYANA HIGH COURT | Authorities must act immediately in Protection pleas; Delay attracts liability<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the present case, a young married couple filed a petition with the relevant authorities, requesting protection from the girl\u2019s father and brother after apprehending threat to their lives, however, no action was taken. A Single Judge Bench of<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"> Parmod Goyal, J.<\/span>, held that in case protection is not awarded immediately on receipt of application made by citizen especially in case of marriage then the authorities shall be made liable for their inaction for not giving timely protection and seeking one or other report if any untoward incident takes place. Further, the Court stated that in protection related cases, authorities should act quickly, and matter should not be allowed to be tangled in bureaucratic administration. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/13\/authorities-must-take-immediate-action-in-protection-pleas-ph-hc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>JUVENILES<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | \u201cConsistent failure of judicial machinery to recognise and act upon plea of juvenility\u201d; Convict directed to be released after 25 years in prison<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While deliberating over the instant case wherein the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">M.M Sundresh*<\/span> and Aravind Kumar, JJ., observed grave injustice that had been perpetrated on account of consistent failure on part of the judicial machinery to recognise and act upon the constitutional mandate vis-a-vis the plea of juvenility in the instant case and allowed the appeal and set aside the appellant\u2019s sentence imposed in excess of the upper limit for commission of culpable homicide amounting to murder in 1994. In the instant case, the Court found that the appellant had undergone imprisonment for almost 25 years, during which time, the society has undergone significant transformation which the Appellant might be unaware of and find difficult to adjust with. Therefore, the Court directed the Uttarakhand State Legal Services Authority to play a proactive role in identifying any welfare scheme of the State\/Central Government, facilitating the Appellant\u2019s rehabilitation and smooth reintegration into the society upon his release, with particular emphasis on his right to livelihood, shelter and sustenance guaranteed under Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574949\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">21<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/01\/14\/plea-of-juvenility-convict-25years-prison-release-sc-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | JJ Act\u2019s jurisdictional primacy over NIA Act in trials involving juveniles, affirmed<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a reference made by the Principal District &amp; Sessions Judge, Bhopal as to \u201cWhether the trial of a juvenile accused of offences under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) investigated by National Investigation Agency (NIA) is to be conducted by the Special Court under the NIA Act or the Children\u2019s Court under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002806282\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015<\/a> (JJ Act),\u201d a single-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Sanjay Dwivedi, J.<\/span>, affirmed that the Children\u2019s Court remains the sole competent forum for the trial of a juvenile accused even for heinous offences under scheduled Acts like UAPA. The Court reinforced the doctrine that <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">\u201cbeneficial legislations must be interpreted to advance their objective and not frustrate it\u201d.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/28\/mp-high-court-affirms-juvenile-justice-acts-jurisdictional-primacy-over-national-investigation-agency-act-in-trials-involving-juveniles-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | \u2018Right to be forgotten\u2019 for juvenile by destroying record of juvenile delinquency is an absolute right<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a writ petition challenging the petitioner\u2019s termination of employment based on his previous juvenile conviction, which came to light during police verification, a single-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Anoop Kumar Dhand, J.<\/span>, held that termination of petitioner\u2019s employment based on an expunged juvenile conviction is against the principles of juvenile justice and rehabilitation and quashed the termination order with direction to reinstate the petitioner with all consequential benefits. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/02\/26\/right-to-be-forgotten-for-juvenile-by-destroying-record-of-juvenile-delinquency-is-an-absolute-right-rajasthan-high-court-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | At what stage can the claim of juvenility be raised by the accused juvenile?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a revision petition filed by the complainant against the Trial Court\u2019s order allowing the application of juvenility filed by the accused and directing him to appear before the Juvenile Justice Board (\u2018JJB\u2019) in kidnapping and rape case, a Single-Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Sandeep Shah, J.<\/span>, while dismissing the petition, reiterated that a claim of juvenility can be raised at any stage of the trial or even at the appellate stage, as also before the Supreme Court in SLP, for the very first time. The Court further noted that the yardsticks for age determination are clearly laid out in JJ Act. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/30\/rajasthan-high-court-claim-of-juvenility-can-be-raised-at-any-stage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Also Read:<\/h3>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">DELHI HIGH COURT | Juvenile tried as an adult cannot face joint trial with adult accused under JJ Act &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/07\/delhi-high-court-juvenile-tried-adult-accused-joint-trial-juvenile-justice-act-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">DELHI HIGH COURT | No unqualified right for the complainant to be heard at every stage of bail proceedings under JJ Act, 2015 &#8211; <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/15\/delhi-high-court-no-right-to-hearing-in-juvenile-bail-jj-act-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>MAINTENANCE UNDER S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519355\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">125<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a><\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">KERALA HIGH COURT | Divorced Muslim woman not entitled to maintenance under S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519355\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">125<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> without proof of Halala-compliant remarriage<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a revision challenging the Family Court\u2019s maintenance order under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519355\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">125<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Criminal Procedure Code, 1973<\/a> (CrPC), a Single-Judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Dr. Kauser Edappagath, J.<\/span>, set aside the impugned order and held that maintenance under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519355\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">125<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> cannot be claimed by a divorce Muslim women based on alleged remarriage or cohabitation unless she proves \u2014 lawful dissolution of the intervening marriage, compliance with the doctrine of Nikah Halala, and valid solemnisation of remarriage. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/12\/17\/ker-hc-divorced-muslim-woman-maintenance-claim-halala-compliant-remarriage-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT (POSH)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | Aggrieved Woman\u2019s Workplace ICC can Investigate Respondents from Other Departments: POSH Act Ruling Explained<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a significant ruling, the bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">JK Maheshwari*<\/span> and Vijay Bishnoi, JJ has held that an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) constituted at the workplace of an aggrieved woman can conduct a preliminary inquiry under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002829234\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013<\/a> (POSH Act), even if the \u2018respondent\u2019 is employed in a different government department. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/12\/12\/supreme-court-landmark-posh-act-ruling-icc-jurisdiction-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 3%;\">Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/09\/20\/posh-act-complaints-guide-shebox-initiative-india-legal-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">SHe-Box and Beyond: Your Essential Guide to Navigating the PoSH Complaint Process<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT| Political Parties are not workplace and not liable to constitute Internal Complaints Committee under POSH Act<\/span>; <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Kerala HC Verdict uphled<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a special leave petition filed against the Judgment of Kerala High Court, wherein it was held that it was not compulsory for political parties to set up an Internal Complaints Committee (\u2018ICC\u2019) to address sexual harassment complaints as per the POSH Act, since there is no employer-employee relationship among its members, the three Judge Bench of BR Gavai, CJI, K. Vinod Chandran and Atul S. Chandurkar, JJ. refused to entertain a petition seeking to bring registered political parties under the ambit of the POSH Act. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/09\/17\/supreme-court-kerala-hc-political-parties-not-workplace-posh-act-2013\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | Direction requiring former NUJS VC to include its order on alleged incidents of sexual misconduct in his resume, deleted<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While considering an application moved by Dr Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti, former Vice Chancellor, WBNUJS (Respondent) for expunging para Nos. 33 and 34 in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">X8 v. Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/0837oKlB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1964<\/a>, but particularly, the sentence beginning from \u2018Thus\u2019 and ending with \u2018personally\u2019 contained in para 34 of the judgment; the Division Bench of Pankaj Mithal and Prasanna B. Varale, JJ., allowed the application thereby deleting the sentence beginning from \u2018Thus\u2019 and ending with \u2018personally\u2019 contained in Para 34 of the judgment, which required the Respondent to make Supreme Court\u2019s order dated 12-9-2025, a part of his resume. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/22\/sc-relief-to-ex-nujs-vc-alleged-incidents-of-sexual-misconduct-case\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT | Advocates are not Bar Council employees, hence outside the ambit of POSH Act<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The UNS Women Legal Association filed the instant PIL seeking formation of permanent internal grievance committee of women advocates in all State Bar Council offices and all Bar Associations of Maharashtra. The Division Bench of Alok Aradhe, C.J. and Sandeep V. Marne, J., while disposing of the PIL, observed that the provisions of the POSH Act does not apply to advocates as the POSH Act requires an employer-employee relationship, which does not exist between advocates and the Bar Council of Maharashtra &amp; Goa (\u2018BCMG\u2019).<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"> Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/17\/bom-hc-advocates-not-covered-under-posh-act-not-employees-of-bar-council\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">KERALA HIGH COURT | State directed to formulate guidelines for ensuring complainant\u2019s anonymity from public domain during inquiry under POSH Act<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A Division Bench of A. Muhamed Mustaque and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">P. Krishna Kumar,*<\/span> JJ., held that there was no jurisdictional error in the impugned order. However considering the repeated assertions made by the petitioner regarding his inability to controvert or contradict the complainant, the Court directed the disciplinary authority to ensure that the Internal Committee comply with the provisions of the POSH Act and the Kerala Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules.The Court emphasized that the petitioner must be given an opportunity to challenge the complainant\u2019s testimony and present his own evidence before the Internal Committee. Further, noting that there is currently no mechanism in place to anonymise the details of the complainant who alleges sexual harassment or other atrocities during the various proceedings related to the inquiry, the Court directed the State to formulate necessary guidelines to anonymise the complainant\u2019s details from the public domain during the inquiry proceedings under the POSH Act. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/21\/kerala-high-court-directs-state-to-formulate-guidelines-for-complainant-anonymity-posh-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">BOMBAY HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Commenting on colleague\u2019s hair that she must be using JCB to manage them, not sexual harassment; Industrial Court\u2019s order set aside<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the present case, the petition challenged judgment and order dated 1-7-2024 passed by the Member Industrial Court, Pune (\u2018the Industrial Court\u2019) dismissing a case filed under provisions of Section 18 of the POSH Act and report dated 30-9-2022 passed by the Internal Complaints Committee (\u2018the ICC\u2019) of Respondent 2-HDFC Sales (P) Ltd. A Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Sandeep V. Marne, J.<\/span>, stated that the incident where the petitioner commented about the complainant\u2019s length and volume of her hair by saying that she must be using JCB to manage her hair, could not mean that it was made with an intent of causing any sexual harassment to the complainant. The Court held that the findings recorded by the Industrial Court were clearly perverse as it failed to consider the exact nature and gravity of allegations levelled against the petitioner. The Court thus set aside the judgment and order dated 1-7-2024 passed by the Industrial Court. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/24\/commenting-on-colleagues-hair-that-she-must-be-using-jcb-to-manage-them-not-sexual-harassment-bomhc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">CALCUTTA HIGH COURT | Calcutta High Court: Vague allegations of workplace harassment by merely using words \u201charassed\u201d or \u201cabused\u201d insufficient to constitute offence under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">509<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The petitioner approached the Court seeking quashing of criminal proceedings arising from an FIR lodged over alleged workplace harassment, which had resulted in a chargesheet under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">509<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>. The allegations pertained to incidents between 2016-2017, reported over a year after the complainant\u2019s resignation. A Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Ajoy Kumar Mukherjee, J.<\/span>, while allowing the petition, held that only using the words \u201charassed\u201d or \u201cabused\u201d, did not demonstrate the requisite intention or knowledge which could lead to the conclusion that any alleged act of the petitioner constituted an insult to the complainant\u2019s modesty. The Court emphasised that mere harassment at workplace or abusing her at workplace might not constitute an offence under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">509<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, unless essential ingredients were fulfilled. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/02\/cal-hc-mere-allegations-of-workplace-harassment-not-offence-under-section-509-ipc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADRAS HIGH COURT | Urged Union to step up awareness on child internet safety; Suggests exploring Australia-style law restricting online access for under-16s<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In a Public Interest Litigation concerning the easy availability of pornographic content to children, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Dr. G. Jayachandran*<\/span> and K.K. Ramakrishnan, JJ., held that the authorities concerned shall accelerate their awareness campaign more effectively and take the message to the vulnerable group through all available medias. The Court further observed that the Union of India may explore the possibility of passing legislation similar to that enacted by Australia prohibiting internet usage by children below the age of 16. Accordingly, the writ petition was disposed of without costs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">\u201cUltimately, it is the individual choice and right to access such obnoxious material or to avoid it and as far as children are concerned, the vulnerability is high, so the parents\u2019 responsibility is higher.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/12\/29\/madras-hc-urges-union-australia-style-child-internet-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">KERALA HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">KeLSA authorised to lead awareness campaign against child marriages in Wayanad\u2019s tribal communities<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a suo motu petition concerning the practice of child marriage prevalent among the members of the tribal communities in Wayanad District, the division bench <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">of Nitin Jamdar,* C.J<\/span>. and S. Manu, J. directed the State to implement the action plan by conducting awareness programs against child marriage in all upper primary, high, and higher secondary schools in Wayanad District within three months, with support from the Education and Tribal Departments. These departments are tasked with ensuring that every student attends at least one session per year. Additionally, similar awareness programs are to be conducted in tribal settlements within three months, with the involvement of the Tribal Department, Scheduled Tribe promoters, and para-legal volunteers. These programs are to be continued annually, utilizing the Gothra Vardhan Scheme to ensure better implementation. The Court also suggested screening films that address the issue of child marriage at various venues during these awareness programs and circulating posters highlighting the harmful effects of child marriage in tribal settlements and schools. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/08\/kerala-high-court-authorizes-kelsa-awareness-campaign-child-marriages-wayanad-tribal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES (POCSO)<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">DELHI HIGH COURT | \u2018In absence of any documentary proof of date of birth, ossification test is required\u2019; Conviction under POCSO Act, set aside<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A Single-Judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Amit Sharma, J.<\/span>, stated that when as per the prosecution\u2019s case, the survivor\u2019s age was approximately 17 years at the time of the incident, therefore in absence of any documentary proof of the date of birth, the ossification test as per Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001520249\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">94(2)(iii)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002806282\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015<\/a> (\u2018JJ Act\u2019) ought to have been conducted. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/09\/ossification-test-required-in-absence-of-date-of-birth-proof-dhc-acquits-pocso-accused\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">KARNATAKA HIGH COURT | \u2018POCSO Act is gender neutral\u2019; HC refuses to quash sexual assault case against Woman<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a criminal petition filed by a 52-year-old woman for quashment of allegations of sexual assault against a minor boy, a single-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">M. Nagaprasanna, J.<\/span>, held that the POCSO Act being a progressive enactment, is intended to safeguard the sanctity of childhood. It is rooted in gender neutrality with its beneficent object being the protection of all children, irrespective of sex. Therefore, POCSO Act is gender neutral. The Court further held that a woman can be prosecuted for offences under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550519\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550528\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a>. The Court observed that delay in registration of the crime cannot become a reason for quashment of the proceedings owing to the nature of offence and tender age of the victim. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/19\/karnataka-hc-pocso-act-gender-neutral-sexual-assault-case-against-woman-not-quashed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Victim attaining majority during trial not entitled to \u201cChild-Specific\u201d safeguards under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550512\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">33(2)<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In separate criminal miscellaneous petitions involving common question of law as to \u2018whether the procedural safeguard under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550512\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">33(2)<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act, 2012<\/a>, which requires that questions during examination be routed through the Special Court, continues to apply once the victim attains the age of majority during the pendency of trial,\u2019 a single-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Farjand Ali, J.<\/span>, quashed the orders passed by the Special Courts in all three petitions and held that <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">\u201cthe procedural mechanisms of Section 33(2) must be confined to those who continue to remain children at the time of their testimony. Once that status changes, so must the procedure.\u201d<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/02\/victim-attaining-majority-during-trial-not-entitled-to-child-specific-safeguards-under-section-332-of-pocso-act-rajasthan-high-court-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">DELHI HIGH COURT| Touching lips or lying next to victim not sufficient for POCSO charge without \u2018sexual intent\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A criminal revision petition was filed by the petitioner, a minor (MRP) under Section 438 read with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804175\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">442<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804327\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNSS<\/a>, challenging the order dated 30-07-2024 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge in an FIR under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561668\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">354<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> and Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550487\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a> registered at Police Station Okhla Industrial Area, Delhi, based on allegations of inappropriate contact with a minor girl by her paternal uncle. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Swarana Kanta Sharma, J.<\/span>, modified the impugned order by upholding the charge under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561668\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">354<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> while setting aside the charge under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550487\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">10<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a>, holding that the allegations did not establish the essential ingredient of sexual intent required for aggravated sexual assault. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/08\/delhi-hc-ipc-charge-upheld-pocso-dismissed-sexual-intent-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT | Grabbing breasts, breaking minor\u2019s Pajama string not attempt to rape, but \u2018aggravated sexual assault\u2019: Summoning order, modified<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a criminal revision filed against the summoning order passed by Special Judge in complaint case, whereby the accused 1 and 2 have been summoned to face trial for charge under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> read with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550495\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">18<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a> , and accused 3 (Father of accused 2) was summoned for charge under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561858\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">504<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">506<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, the single judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, J.<\/span>, while modifying the impugned order, held that mere fact that accused 1 and 2 grabbed the breasts of the victim and one of them broke the string of her pyjama and tried to drag her beneath the culvert and in the meanwhile on interference of passersby the accused persons fled away from the spot leaving the victim behind, is not sufficient to hold that a case of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561866\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">511<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> or Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> read with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550495\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">18<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a> has been made out against the accused persons. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/20\/grabbing-breasts-breaking-pajama-string-aggravated-sexual-assault-allahabad-hc-modifies-order\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>RAPE SURVIVORS AND THEIR RIGHT TO ABORTION\/REPRODUCTION<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT | Rajasthan High Court denies Abortion for 32-weeks Pregnant minor deaf and mute rape survivor; Outlines Pre and Post-delivery care plans<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a writ petition filed by a minor rape survivor seeking permission to terminate her 32-week pregnancy, a Single-Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Anoop Kumar Dhand, J.<\/span>, refused termination of pregnancy, holding that the termination would be unsafe and life-threatening for both the minor and the fetus, especially given the opinion of a medical board. The Court observed that the fetus was viable with a heartbeat and that the victim\u2019s own health was weak, with a blood deficiency and low blood pressure. However, the Court directed a safe delivery and ordered that the child be handed over to the Child Welfare Committee. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/29\/rajasthan-hc-denies-32-weeks-preganant-minor-rape-survivor-terminate-pregnancy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">GUJARAT HIGH COURT | Use of doppler device to monitor foetal heartbeat not \u2018pre-natal diagnostic procedure\u2019 under PCPNDT Act<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a petition filed under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">482<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> for quashing of a criminal case instituted under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001568992\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">23<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002760683\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994<\/a> (PCPNDT Act), the Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">J.C. Joshi, J.,*<\/span> held that the use of a doppler device to monitor heartbeat of the foetus does not amount to \u2018pre-natal diagnostic procedure\u2019 as defined in the PCPNDT Act. Accordingly, the Court quashed and set aside the criminal proceedings against the petitioner.<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"> Read More<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/14\/guj-hc-on-use-of-doppler-device-under-pcpndt-act\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">DELHI HIGH COURT | Directives on hospital lapses mandating timely MTP in rape victim cases issued<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A petition was filed by Minor S through her mother (petitioner) under Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574969\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">226<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution of India<\/a>, seeking urgent directions for the medical termination of pregnancy following repeated refusals by AIIMS, Delhi, to conduct necessary medical procedures without a court order, despite express consent from the Child Welfare Committee and the victim\u2019s guardian. A Single-Judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Swarana Kanta Sharma, J.<\/span>, directed AIIMS to immediately carry out the medical termination of pregnancy, having found critical lapses in medical protocol, conflicting gestational assessments, and unwarranted procedural hurdles such as the insistence on identity proof and ossification testing during pregnancy. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/02\/delhi-highcourt-directives-medical-termination-pregnancy-rape-victims-hospital-lapses-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT | Minor sexual assault survivor\u2019s right to continue Pregnancy upheld; Comprehensive State support directed<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a case dealing with minor sexual assault survivor\u2019s right to continue Pregnancy, a writ petition was registered upon a reference made by Additional Sessions Judge with regards to whether the decision of the pregnant minor and her parents to continue with the pregnancy must be respected despite the pregnancy arising out of sexual assault. Deciding the case, a single-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Vinay Saraf, J.<\/span>, upheld the reproductive autonomy of the minor and her guardians. The Court held that under the facts of the present case, no direction for medical termination can be issued, especially when the victim and her parents have explicitly chosen to continue the pregnancy.<span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"> Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/30\/mp-high-court-upholds-minor-sexual-assault-survivors-right-to-continue-pregnancy-directs-for-comprehensive-state-support-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\">HERE<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>SENTENCE<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Accused can\u2019t said to be \u201cbrutal\u201d though \u201cbarbaric\u201d; Death sentence commuted to 25 yrs imprisonment in 4-yr-old minor rape case<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a criminal appeal against the conviction and death sentence of by the Special Judge (POCSO), Khandwa, for the rape and attempted murder of a four-year-old girl under various sections of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> and POCSO Act, a Division Bench of Vivek Agarwal and <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Devnarayan Mishra,*<\/span> JJ., upheld the conviction for grave offences against a minor, but declined to confirm the death sentence, emphasising that the case did not meet the \u201crarest of rare\u201d threshold necessary for imposing capital punishment. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/21\/mp-high-court-commutes-death-sentence-to-25-yrs-imprisonment-in-4-yr-old-minor-rape-case-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | POCSO | \u2018No mitigation for crimes that subvert notion of family as space of security\u2019; SC upholds father\u2019s life sentence<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While considering this petition challenging the affirmation of accused person\u2019s conviction and sentence under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550528\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">POCSO Act<\/a> and Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">506<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> by Himachal Pradesh High Court; the Division Bench of Aravind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta, JJ., confirmed the decisions of the Trial Court and the High Court. Noting that the accused in the case is the father of the victim, the Court strictly emphasised that incestuous sexual violence committed by a parent is a distinct category of offence that tears through the foundational fabric of familial trust and must invite the severest condemnation in both language and sentence. When a child is forced to suffer at the hands of her own father, the law must speak in a voice that is resolute and uncompromising. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/07\/supreme-court-upholds-pocso-life-sentence-father-for-raping-daughter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | Constitutional bar against retrospectively imposing harsher penalty is clear and absolute: SC modifies sentence in POCSO case<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In an appeal challenging the judgment dated 5-9-2023, whereby the appellant\u2019s challenge to his conviction under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002906158\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376-AB<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Penal Code 1860<\/a> (\u2018IPC\u2019) and Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001550528\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002825996\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012<\/a> (\u2018POCSO Act\u2019) was dismissed, the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Vikram Nath<\/span>* and Sandeep Mehta, JJ., stated that the constitutional bar against retrospective imposition of a harsher penalty under Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574938\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">20(1)<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Constitution<\/a> was clear and absolute. The Court stated that the sentence of \u201cimprisonment for life, meaning remainder of natural life\u201d, as per the amended provision under <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9000227538\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, 2019<\/a>, did not exist in the statutory framework on the date of the incident. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/01\/sc-constitutional-bar-against-retrospectively-imposing-harsher-penalty\/%22%20\/t%20%22_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST WOMEN<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">SUPREME COURT | \u2018Filthy language\u2019 examined in isolation without any context indicating intention to insult modesty, doesn\u2019t fall under S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">506<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While considering the instant appeal challenging Karnataka High Court\u2019s decision refusing to quash chargesheet filed against the appellants for offences under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561632\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">323<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561858\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">504<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">506<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">509<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561866\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">511<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> and for allegedly using filthy language against the complainant; the Division Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Dipankar Datta*<\/span> and Prashant Kumar Mishra, JJ., explained that in the instant case it will be essential for the Court to carefully assess the evidence presented, in order to determine whether there is sufficient material to establish the intention and knowledge on the part of the appellants, to insult the modesty of the complainant or, whether any act was intended to shock the sense of decency of the complainant being a woman. The Court pointed out that the term \u201cfilthy language,\u201d when examined in isolation, and without any contextual framework or accompanying words, indicating an intent to insult the complainant\u2019s modesty, does not fall within the purview of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">509<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/01\/29\/filthy-language-insult-modesty-use-of-falls-under-section-506-ipc-sc-legal-news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">HIMACHAL PRADESH HIGH COURT | Can clicking a woman\u2019s photograph attract the offence of stalking under S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804301\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">78<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804326\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNS<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In a petition filed by the accused for a pre-arrest bail in a case registered for the commission of offences punishable under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001803569\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">221<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001803572\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">224<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001803713\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">351(2)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001803767\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">78<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804326\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNS<\/a>, a Single Judge Bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Rakesh Kainthla, J.<\/span>, allowed the present petition, observing that Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001803767\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">78<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804326\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNS<\/a> was the only non-bailable offence and its ingredients were not satisfied in the present set of facts and further held that the custodial interrogation of the accused was also not needed, making his detention useless.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; font-weight: bold;\">\u201cSection <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001803767\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">78<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804326\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNS<\/a> punished a person who followed a woman and contacted her to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by her or monitored her internet use, email or other form of electronic communication.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read More<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/08\/20\/clicking-a-woman-not-stalking-under-bns-hp-hc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">HERE<\/span><\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">DELHI HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">377<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> cannot be applied to criminalise marital sex<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a revision petition filed by the petitioner (\u2018husband\u2019) seeking to set aside the Sessions Court\u2019s order, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Dr. Swarana Kanta Sharma,* J.<\/span>, stated that in the context of a marital relationship, Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">377<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> could be applied to criminalise non-penile-vaginal intercourse between a husband and wife. Such an interpretation would be in line with the reasoning and observations of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Navtej Singh Johar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8gd9DlY2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(2018) 10 SCC 1<\/a>. The Court stated that no prima facie case was made out against the husband for the offence under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561707\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">377<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>. Therefore, the impugned order directing the framing of charge was unsustainable in law and was liable to be set aside. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/21\/section-377-ipc-cannot-be-applied-to-criminalise-marital-sex-dhc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">MADHYA PRADESH HIGH COURT |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Woman though can\u2019t commit rape, but can be held liable for abetment to rape under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561360\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">109<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In a Criminal Revision filed under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519685\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">397<\/a> read with Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519692\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">401<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> against Additional Sessions Judge\u2019s order wherein charges were framed against them under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a> read with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561471\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">190<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561860\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">506-II<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, a single-judge bench of <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Pramod Kumar Agrawal, J.<\/span>, modified the order and directed the trial court to frame charges under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a> read with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561360\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">109<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a> instead of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561701\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">376<\/a> read with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561652\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">34<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>, while keeping the remaining charges intact. <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Read<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">more<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/03\/28\/woman-though-cant-commit-rape-but-can-be-held-liable-for-abetment-to-rape-under-section-109-of-ipc-mp-high-court-scc-times\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>CONCLUSION<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Across jurisdictions, Courts have shown firm resolve in upholding the rights of survivors, whether by recognising reproductive autonomy of minor victims, enforcing timely medical care, protecting children from re-traumatisation during trial, or expanding the scope of accountability under laws such as POCSO and POSH. At the same time, the judiciary has been equally vigilant in preventing dilution of safeguards through procedural shortcuts, investigative apathy, or mechanical prosecution. These judgments on crimes against women and children in 2025 reaffirm that offences against women and children are not just individual wrongs but constitutional injuries to dignity, equality and personal liberty.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">1. Can termination of pregnancy be denied at advanced stages despite rape?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Yes. The Rajasthan High Court denied termination of a 32-week pregnancy, holding that medical safety and foetal viability outweigh termination where the procedure would be life-threatening as highlighted in recent judgments on crimes against women and children in 2025 involving reproductive rights.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">2. Is doppler monitoring of foetal heartbeat prohibited under PCPNDT Act?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">No. The Gujarat High Court held that use of doppler devices for monitoring heartbeat does not amount to a prenatal diagnostic procedure under the PCPNDT Act<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">3. Does \u201cliving in adultery\u201d include isolated acts?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">No. The Patna High Court held that living in adultery requires a continuous course of conduct, not isolated acts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">4. How did courts approach cases involving delayed reporting of sexual offences?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Courts recognised that delay may stem from trauma, fear, dependency, or social pressure. However, delay alone was not treated as proof of guilt or innocence; instead, courts examined whether surrounding circumstances supported or weakened the prosecution narrative.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">5.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Can the legal process be used to recall child abuse survivors repeatedly for cross-examination?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">No. The Supreme Court rejected a POCSO convict\u2019s plea to recall his 11-year-old niece for cross-examination, observing that the legal process cannot be misused to re-traumatise child abuse survivors.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">6.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Is a company recognised as a \u201cvictim\u201d under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Yes. The Supreme Court held that the definition of \u201cvictim\u201d under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519448\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2(wa)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a> is not narrow and that a company can be a victim entitled to file an appeal under the proviso to Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519658\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">372<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CrPC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">7. Does use of filthy language by itself amount to an offence under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">509<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">No. The Supreme Court held that filthy language, when examined in isolation and without any context indicating intent to insult a woman\u2019s modesty, does not fall within the ambit of Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">509<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IPC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">8. Is ossification test mandatory when age proof is unavailable in POCSO cases?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Yes. The Delhi High Court held that in the absence of documentary proof of date of birth, ossification test under Section 94(2)(iii) of the JJ Act must be conducted. This ensures accurate age determination before proceeding with POCSO trials, protecting the rights of minors.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">9. Can taking a woman\u2019s photograph be considered stalking under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Not necessarily. The Himachal Pradesh High Court held that the offence of stalking under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001803767\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">78<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001804326\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BNS<\/a> requires repeated contact despite clear disinterest or monitoring of electronic communication. Mere clicking of a photograph does not satisfy the ingredients.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: bold;\">10. Do child-specific safeguards under Section 33(2) of POCSO continue after the victim attains majority?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">No. The Rajasthan High Court held that the procedural safeguards under Section 33(2) apply only so long as the victim continues to be a child at the time of testimony.<\/p>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n  \"mainEntity\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Can termination of pregnancy be denied at advanced stages despite rape?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Yes. The Rajasthan High Court denied termination of a 32-week pregnancy, holding that medical safety and foetal viability outweigh termination where the procedure would be life-threatening, as highlighted in recent judgments on crimes against women and children in 2025 involving reproductive rights.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Is doppler monitoring of foetal heartbeat prohibited under PCPNDT Act?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"No. The Gujarat High Court held that use of doppler devices for monitoring heartbeat does not amount to a prenatal diagnostic procedure under the PCPNDT Act.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"Does 'living in adultery' include isolated acts?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"No. The Patna High Court held that living in adultery requires a continuous course of conduct, not isolated acts.\"\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Question\",\n      \"name\": \"How did courts approach cases involving delayed reporting of sexual offences?\",\n      \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n        \"text\": \"Courts recognised that delay may stem from trauma, fear, dependency, or social pressure. 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Sentence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67514,"featured_media":372593,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45673,70549],"tags":[96783,96786,96782,96785,96788,96787,2572,96790,96789,96784],"class_list":["post-372592","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-columns-for-roundup","category-topic-wise-roundup","tag-crimes-against-women-and-children-judgments-2025","tag-criminal-law-on-sexual-violence-india","tag-criminal-law-yearly-roundup-2025","tag-high-court-decisions-on-sexual-offences-2025","tag-posh-act-latest-judgments-2025","tag-protection-of-children-from-sexual-offences-judgments","tag-Rape","tag-reproductive-rights-of-minor-rape-survivors-india","tag-sexual-assault-and-child-abuse-case-law","tag-supreme-court-rulings-on-sexual-offences-2025"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is 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