K'taka HC denies plea to quash case against man accused of assaulting mentally challenged minor
Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a man from Tumakuru accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old mentally challenged girl. Justice M Nagaprasanna observed that dismissing the proceedings would amount to a "travesty of law," given the nature of the allegations.
The incident occurred on December 10, 2023, when the petitioner allegedly lured the victim to his house under the pretext of giving her sugarcane. Although her mother became aware of the incident on the same day, she delayed filing a complaint by 11 days due to social pressures and her daughter's disability. The child later complained of persistent pain, prompting the complaint.
The Tumakuru police charged the petitioner under s. 376(l) of the IPC and s. 4 of the POCSO Act.
The petitioner argued that the delay in registering the complaint and the victim's mental condition warranted quashing the case. He also claimed that the victim's statement under s. 164 of the CrPC lacked credibility. However, Justice Nagaprasanna noted that the victim had identified the petitioner and provided sufficient details about the incident in her statement.
The court held that the allegations were "heinous and horrendous," describing the petitioner's behaviour as prima facie paraphilic. It emphasised that reliance on isolated statements from a mentally challenged child during cross-examination cannot justify quashing the proceedings.
The trial court has been instructed to conclude the case within three months.
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US–Iran first round direct talks conclude in Islamabad: Report
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The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran, held in Islamabad, has concluded, Al Jazeera reported citing sources close to the development.
According to the report, following the discussions, delegations from both sides agreed to exchange written documents, a move aimed at ensuring clarity and consensus on the understandings reached during the meeting.
Both the Iranian and US delegations arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, amid high security for the peace talks.
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