POCSO Act gender neutral, refuses to quash FIR against woman in minor’s assault case: Karnataka HC
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a plea by a 52-year-old woman seeking to quash an FIR registered against her for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy, holding that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is gender neutral.
A bench headed by Justice M. Nagaprasanna observed that the Act was progressive and intended to safeguard childhood, irrespective of the child’s gender. “The beneficent object of the POCSO Act is protection of children, irrespective of sex. The Act is rooted in gender neutrality,” the court said.
The woman had argued that the FIR was lodged after a delay of four years, as the alleged offence occurred in 2020 but was reported only in 2025. Her counsel also claimed she had been falsely implicated by neighbours to avoid repayment of money.
Rejecting these arguments, the court noted that delay in filing a complaint cannot outweigh the seriousness of the offence or the fact that the victim is a minor. The bench further dismissed outdated notions that women play only a passive role in sexual activity, calling them legally untenable.
The FIR was registered under Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act for penetrative and aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
