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 The bench further dismissed outdated notions that women play only a passive role in sexual activity, calling them legally untenable.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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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
