The Patna High Court granted bail to a 14-year-old boy accused in a POCSO case, holding institutional care should be a last resort. Justice Arun Kumar Jha said bail cannot be denied to a child in conflict with law without statutory grounds under the Juvenile Justice Act.
The Madras High Court expressed concern over alleged misuse of the 1098 child helpline system, observing that some Child Welfare Committee-linked officials allegedly pressured children into making false abuse allegations against fathers, while directing Tamil Nadu to frame safeguards ensuring fair recording of children’s statements.
The Delhi High Court upheld Rajender Sharma’s conviction in a child sexual assault case, ruling that a child victim’s testimony can sustain conviction even without conclusive medical evidence, while clarifying that hymen rupture is unnecessary to establish penetrative assault under Section 3(a) POCSO Act.
