A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a woman IPS officer has been formed in Latur, Maharashtra, to probe the alleged sexual assault of minor schoolgirls by Bashir Usman Shaikh, founder of Adarsh International School. Shaikh was arrested earlier this week under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act. The SIT is investigating further potential victims and urging students to report abuse without fear.
Assam's Juvenile Justice Board has ruled that a 17-year-old boy, accused in the alleged rape and murder of a girl in Hailakandi district, will be tried as an adult. The decision was based on the heinous nature of the crime, psychological assessments, and other reports. The incident, which occurred on August 1, led to widespread protests and a chargesheet was filed against five accused, including the juvenile.
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to explore a statutory framework to ensure social media intermediaries comply with Indian laws regarding minors, particularly concerning their inability to independently enter into contracts. The court highlighted the need for safeguards to protect children from potential harms on digital platforms, including exploitation and misuse of data, and asked the Solicitor General to examine incorporating these requirements into intermediary rules.
Marriage alone does not make a spouse liable for debt. The extent of liability depends on whether the spouse signed as a co-borrower or guarantor, or inherited assets.
A special POCSO court in Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced Kapil Sharma to 20 years in prison and imposed a Rs 60,000 fine for raping a minor girl in February 2021.
The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested eight individuals and taken action against three minors in connection with nine FIRs related to online harassment, fake social media profiles, objectionable content circulation, and blackmail. The arrests were made under "Mission Cyber Rakshika," an initiative focused on protecting women from cyber-stalking and abuse.
A special POCSO court in Thane has convicted a 20-year-old man for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, sentencing him to three years of rigorous imprisonment. The court relied heavily on the victim's "clear and cogent" testimony and rejected the plea for probation, citing the fear and insecurity caused by the accused's actions.
A special POCSO court in Muzaffarnagar has sentenced a man and a woman to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000 each for the 2019 rape of a 14-year-old girl. The convicts, Vikas and Lalita, were found guilty under various IPC sections and the POCSO Act.
Three drivers of Gem Granite founder R Veeramani have been arrested in Chennai for their alleged involvement in the sexual harassment of minors. The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into five cases against Veeramani, who was previously arrested along with accomplices after a pendrive allegedly containing video evidence triggered the probe.
A Delhi court has acquitted a man accused of beating his daughter, insulting her modesty, and subjecting her to suffering. The acquittal came after the daughter denied the alleged assault during trial, stating her previous statement was made under pressure, and other witnesses failed to provide reliable evidence to support the prosecution's case.
Government sources state that Meta, due to its algorithmic amplification of content, can no longer be considered a "simple intermediary" but rather a "service provider," implying greater responsibility and potential loss of legal immunity. This shift comes as Meta commits to directly reporting child abuse content to Indian law enforcement, amidst increasing government scrutiny over harmful online content and algorithmic bias.
A court in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, has ordered police to register a murder case against four individuals and investigate the deaths of a newly married couple whose decomposed bodies were discovered nearly three months ago. The order came after an application from the deceased man's father, citing alleged threats received by the couple before their deaths.
Thane Police's Crime Branch has arrested Dinesh Babu Manjrekar, a key accused in a series of robberies targeting elderly citizens through distraction and impersonation. Police recovered 212 grams of gold jewellery and are searching for his accomplices. Manjrekar has a history of 29 previous cases across various cities.
Police in Mananthala have arrested three individuals, including a minor, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of an underage girl. The incident came to light after the girl disclosed it during a counselling session, leading her parents to file a complaint. A case has been registered under the POCSO Act.
Two men, Vishnu (36) and Vijayan (58), were arrested in Perumbavoor, Kochi, for allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting a minor girl. Vishnu, a bus conductor, reportedly befriended the girl and took her to Mamalakandam, where Vijayan allegedly confined her at his house, leading to the assault. Police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and remanded the accused in judicial custody.
Police in Ludhiana have booked a 35-year-old man, Sanjay Kumar, for allegedly sexually assaulting an 11-month-old girl. The incident was reported on Saturday, and the accused is currently absconding. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act.
A 38-year-old man from West Bengal was arrested in Gurugram for allegedly committing an obscene act against his 17-year-old stepdaughter. He was traced to Malda district after fleeing following the registration of an FIR under the POCSO Act.
A fast-track court in Nashik, Maharashtra, has sentenced Vijay Sanjay Khairnar to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl. The court described the crime as "rarest of the rare," stating that leniency would undermine public confidence in justice. The judge highlighted the extreme depravity of the act, committed on November 16, 2025, and ruled out life imprisonment, also directing Rs 10 lakh compensation to the victim's parents.
A fast-track court in Nashik, Maharashtra, has sentenced Vijay Sanjay Khairnar to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl late last year. The court termed the gruesome crime "rarest of the rare" and also ordered Rs 10 lakh financial assistance for the victim's family. The prosecution, led by Ujwal Nikam, relied on circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies to secure the conviction.
The Kerala child rights panel has directed the state government to include rugby in the upcoming annual state school sports meet, following a High Court directive. The panel also ordered the General Education Department to make arrangements for competitions and ensure children can participate in national events, and to amend the state school sports meet manual to include rugby in the 2026-27 National School Games.
Bashir Usman Shaikh, the founder and principal of Adarsh International School in Latur, who was absconding after being accused of sexually harassing minor girl students, has been arrested by police. He was booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the stringent POCSO Act on October 4.
A computer teacher from a government residential school in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district has been arrested in Rajasthan for allegedly sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the victim and her mother, leading to a special investigation team being formed.
A Special POCSO Court in Amroha has sentenced a man named Bunty to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl. The verdict was delivered within eight months of the trial, and a fine of Rs 50,000 was also imposed, with 90% directed to the victim.
The Supreme Court has indicated that individuals with a conscientious objection should not face criminal consequences for declining to sing Vande Mataram, while asking the Centre to consider a 1986 judgment protecting similar rights concerning the national anthem.
A heated exchange occurred in the Supreme Court between senior advocate S Muralidhar and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta over Mehta's use of the term "Naxalites" during a hearing on the national song Vande Mataram. Muralidhar strongly objected to the remark, demanding its withdrawal, while Mehta defended his statement, referring to an ideology rather than individuals. The bench intervened, emphasising decorum and constitutional issues.
A man accused of raping a six-year-old girl was arrested in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, following an exchange of fire with police. The accused, Avdhram alias Bhole Shankar, sustained a gunshot injury and was apprehended. Police recovered a country-made pistol and cartridges, and a reward was announced for the arresting team.
A special POCSO court in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced a 47-year-old man, Govind Das alias Bablu Kushwaha, to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh for raping a seven-year-old girl. The incident occurred on May 18, 2024, when the accused lured the girl with a toffee.
The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against 15 individuals in the Kishtwar minor's rape and death case. The chargesheet alleges a criminal conspiracy to conceal the sexual assault, intimidate the victim's family, and illegally terminate her advanced pregnancy. The 15-year-old tribal girl died on August 20 following an alleged abortion attempt after being repeatedly sexually assaulted by a teacher, resulting in pregnancy. Accused include the main perpetrator, health workers, and community elders involved in the cover-up and pressure tactics.
Maharashtra is grappling with an escalating drought crisis, with 305 talukas now declared drought-hit, prompting the state government to announce Rs 5,000 in financial aid for farmers before Diwali and extend comprehensive relief measures.
American singer Mary Millben has become a prominent figure in Indian political discourse due to her outspoken support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, using social media to defend him against critics and appeal to young Indians, despite her musical career being less known in the country.
The Supreme Court expressed concern over the closure of 57 Metro stations and cancellation of trains in Delhi ahead of protests, stating the Centre 'cannot use a hammer to kill a fly' and ordered against complete prohibition of transport services.
A 19-year-old woman in Nanded, Maharashtra, was seriously injured after being stabbed multiple times by a 21-year-old man for rejecting his advances. The accused, Rohit Pohare, had allegedly been pursuing her for two years. He has been arrested and charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, and POCSO Act. The victim is reported to be stable.
A special POCSO court in Jamnagar, Gujarat, has sentenced a man to death under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for the brutal murder and torture of his seven-year-old niece in 2025. The accused also received life imprisonment under the POCSO Act for sexually assaulting the minor, in what was deemed a 'rarest of rare' case.
Navi Pillay, a South African jurist of Indian origin, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The announcement came as she was in Nuremberg, a symbolic location given her career's focus on international justice. Pillay dedicated the prize to survivors and those working for justice, warning against political attacks on international law and institutions like the ICC. Her extensive career includes roles in the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, the International Criminal Court, and as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Police in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, have booked a man from Himachal Pradesh for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old girl. The girl went missing on September 16 after going to school and returned on September 24, subsequently revealing the ordeal to her mother. The accused reportedly threatened her, and an investigation is underway.
The Supreme Court has granted the Centre a final opportunity to present measures taken to prevent the circulation of child sexual exploitation and abuse material on social media platforms, following a petition highlighting inconsistent compliance by intermediaries.
A medical representative has been arrested in Thane for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl for over a year. The accused reportedly threatened the victim's family and offered money to silence them before being apprehended after a social activist's intervention.
Following the tragic killing of a teacher inside a school, the Lakhimpur Kheri district administration has ordered all schools to review and significantly upgrade their security protocols. A 16-point safety audit checklist has been introduced, mandating measures from controlled entry to CCTV surveillance and staff verification, with police coordination and increased patrolling.
A court in Maharashtra's Palghar district has sentenced a 55-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting his seven-year-old daughter. The crime came to light in November 2020 after neighbours alerted an NGO. The court noted the man exploited his position of trust, making the child believe his actions were right.
A 49-year-old physical education teacher, Shashidhar, accused of sexually assaulting children, died after jumping from the third floor of the Bengaluru South district Superintendent of Police's office complex in Ramanagara. He was arrested under the POCSO Act, and the incident, captured on CCTV, occurred while he was being escorted for judicial custody procedures.
