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Supreme Court : From Life Imprisonment to 20 Years Young Offenders Get Relief in POCSO Case

12Jun

By The Legal ChamberNo Comments

Supreme Court

Supreme Court : From Life Imprisonment to 20 Years Young Offenders Get Relief in POCSO Case

The Supreme Court of India granted leave to appeal against a High Court judgment dated April 26, 2024, which affirmed the conviction of appellants under various sections of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, 2012, including imprisonment for life. While upholding the conviction, the Supreme Court partially allowed the appeals, reducing the sentence from life imprisonment (remainder of natural life) to twenty years of rigorous imprisonment based on Section 6 of the POCSO Act and considering the appellants' age and incarceration period. Facts Of The Case: Pintu Thakur @ Ravi and other appellants were convicted by the Additional Sessions Judge, Fast Track Special Court (POCSO Act), Ramanujganj, District Balrampur, in Special Sessions (POCSO) Case No. 36/2020. This conviction was subse...

Supreme Court Protects Victim’s Rights: No Jail for Accused in POCSO Case

The Supreme Court overturned a High Court ruling, reinstating convictions under the POCSO Act and IPC, emphasizing that Section 482 CrPC cannot quash serious offenses even with victim settlement. The Court underscored the State's constitutional duty under Article 21 and the JJ Act to protect and rehabilitate POCSO victims and their children. Facts Of The Case: The case involves a criminal appeal by the State of West Bengal against a Calcutta High Court judgment from October 18, 2023. The High Court had set aside the conviction of an accused person under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Sections 363 and 366 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Supreme Court, in a judgment dated August 20, 2024, set aside the High Court's impugned judgment and restored the Special Court's verdict of convictio...

POCSO Case Delays Addressed: Supreme Court Directs Faster Trials in Child Sexual Abuse Cases

The Supreme Court, in its suo moto jurisdiction, issued directives to expedite trials under the POCSO Act 2012, mandating exclusive special courts in districts with over 100 pending cases. It emphasized time-bound investigations, child-friendly infrastructure, and sensitized personnel. The Court also stressed forensic lab efficiency and victim compensation, reinforcing strict adherence to statutory timelines to curb delays in child sexual abuse cases Facts Of The Case: The Supreme Court of India took suo moto cognizance in July 2019 of the alarming rise in child sexual abuse cases across the country, registering the matter as "In Re: Alarming Rise in the Number of Reported Child Rape Incidents." This judicial intervention was prompted by numerous media reports highlighting the increasing...