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.
Self-proclaimed Hindutva influencer Swatantra Bhardwaj was questioned by Delhi Police during his remand in connection with an alleged assault on a student activist's father at Jantar Mantar. Bhardwaj, who showed no remorse, was confronted with his viral videos. The case now includes charges under the SC/ST Act and POCSO Act, following outrage and further complaints.
An FIR under the POCSO Act has been lodged against four persons, including a VHP leader and a film director, based on a complaint by a girl who gained attention during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela and later married a Muslim man in Kerala.
Following the horrific Jamui molestation case, new incidents of harassment have been reported in Bihar's Samastipur and Muzaffarpur districts, leading to five arrests and prompting strong criticism from opposition leaders against the BJP-led NDA government over the state's law and order situation.
A special POCSO court in Vadodara has sentenced five men to life imprisonment for the gang-rape of a minor girl during Navratri two years ago. The court described the crime as "most heinous" and ordered Rs 10 lakh compensation for the survivor, emphasising the seriousness of violence against women, especially during a religious festival.
A POCSO court in Assam's Dhubri district has sentenced Utpal Ray to death for the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl in 2023, terming the crime "rarest of rare". The convict also received life imprisonment for rape and other sentences for related offences.
Avimukteshwarananda has been in the headlines for his confrontation with the organisers of the Magh Mela in Prayagraj.
The Tamil Nadu government has constituted an all-women Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the sensational POCSO case against granite baron R Veeramani (84), who is accused of sexual abuse of minor girls. The case has led to the easing out of two top IPS officers and allegations of delayed action and political interference.
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 denied interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting a minor. While rejecting his plea for bail on health grounds for now, the court permitted him to engage a trained caretaker for round-the-clock assistance. The court noted that Asaram's counsel had previously moved for parole, and his health condition will be monitored.
The Supreme Court has stayed the execution of a man sentenced to death for the repeated sexual assault of three minor girls. The apex court's decision comes after the Madras High Court confirmed his conviction and death penalty. The Supreme Court has sought reports from probation officers, jail authorities, and a psychological evaluation of the appellant, posting the matter for hearing after 20 weeks.
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.
A woman in Delhi has been booked for allegedly filing a false complaint under the POCSO Act against her father, with police indicating the allegation stemmed from a property dispute.
Bihar police are investigating multiple past incidents of molestation and moral policing across several districts, including Kishanganj, Banka, and Samastipur, following recent public outrage. These cases, some months or even a year old, involve vigilante groups harassing individuals, often for inter-faith interactions, and have led to arrests and significant political controversy.
The intention behind POCSO Act is to protect children from sexual exploitation but it was never meant to criminalise consensual romantic relationships between young adults, the Delhi high court has said.
BRS Working President K T Rama Rao has called for the immediate removal of Bandi Sanjay Kumar from the union cabinet following the arrest of his son, Bageerath, in a POCSO case, arguing that the minister's continuation in office could hinder a fair and impartial investigation.
A 38-year-old man in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested for allegedly committing an unnatural act with his 12-year-old nephew. The arrest follows a complaint filed by the boy's father, leading to a case registered under the POCSO Act.
A man identified as Asif, accused of raping a 17-year-old girl near Kalkaji Mandir, was arrested after a police encounter in southeast Delhi. Two other suspects, an advocate and his brother, are being questioned. Asif allegedly fired at police during interception, leading to an exchange of fire where he was injured and subsequently apprehended. The incident involved three men posing as policemen, abducting the girl and her friend, and then raping the girl in Astha Kunj Park.
A special POCSO court in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, has convicted a school teacher of molesting female students and sentenced him to seven years of rigorous imprisonment.
Police in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, have arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly raping his 15-year-old daughter. The arrest followed a complaint lodged by the victim's mother, leading to a case registered under the stringent POCSO Act.
A teacher at a government residential school in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district has been accused of sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl and other students. Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act, with efforts underway to apprehend the accused. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has ordered a thorough probe, strict action, and directed district authorities to enhance vigilance and conduct regular inspections of girls' hostels and residential schools to ensure child safety.
Govt said these amendments are aimed at discouraging the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent.
'Nanandan Yadav was hiding in the Madwa Pahari locality when the police surrounded him. He tried to flee, and was shot during the encounter.'
A 24-year-old man has been arrested in Palghar, Maharashtra, for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl under the pretext of marriage. The victim initially delayed reporting the incident due to fear of social defamation. The accused faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and POCSO Act, with further investigation underway.
The court directed Asaram to surrender in view of the conviction. He is currently out on temporary bail, which was extended by seven days on Monday.
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.
In the letter to Gandhi, Facebook said, "A post you uploaded through your Instagram account is unlawful under Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015; Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012; and Section 288A of the Indian Penal Code. In accordance with NCPCR's Notice, you are requested to remove this post expeditiously."
A mosque cleric in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, has been booked under the POCSO Act and BNS Act for allegedly raping a minor. The accused, Imam Zakir Ali, is currently absconding, and police have launched a search operation following a complaint from the victim's family.
A POCSO case has been filed against a VHP leader and a film director, among others, following a complaint by a girl who gained attention during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela and later married a Muslim man in Kerala.
A special POCSO court in Mumbai has granted a four-day temporary bail to an 18-year-old man accused of rape, allowing him to appear for the NEET retest. The decision was made after the victim gave her no objection, with the court imposing strict conditions on the accused, including a bond of Rs 50,000 and a directive to surrender after the exam.
A speech-and-hearing impaired man was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Gondia court for sexually assaulting a seven-and-half-year-old girl in May 2024.
A three-year-old nursery student in Delhi was allegedly sexually assaulted by her school bus driver, leading to his arrest. Police have formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and issued an advisory to schools regarding staff verification and vehicle use.
A 16-year-old boy has been apprehended in Lucknow for the alleged rape of a minor girl. Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and POCSO Act, and the accused will be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has stated his willingness to undergo a narco analysis test to help establish the truth in the sexual abuse case registered against him under the POCSO Act. He maintains his innocence and alleges the case is an attempt to defame him.
Mumbai Police have arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old girl in the J J Marg area. The accused has been identified as Shamshad Ibrar Ahmed Shaikh and was arrested following a swift investigation after the incident occurred on Sunday.
Police in Thane, Maharashtra, have registered an FIR against a man for allegedly filming two women through a bathroom window in Bhiwandi. The incident, reported by a 16-year-old, led to charges under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and POCSO Act, with the accused currently absconding.
Nagpur police have seized sharp weapons, a laptop, and contraceptives from the residence of a 19-year-old accused in Thane, who allegedly tortured and sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl. The accused, Nirmay Madhav Pakhare, is currently hospitalised under judicial custody, while police continue to investigate digital evidence.
A case has been registered against the son of Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar under the POCSO Act, following allegations of sexual harassment of a minor girl. The accused denies the charges, claiming extortion and criminal intimidation. The case has sparked a political row, with accusations of a 'political hit job' and demands for the minister's removal.
Delhi Police have apprehended the cousin of a man stabbed to death during an armed robbery, along with other accused and a juvenile. The cousin allegedly tipped off assailants about the victim's cash movements. The police used extensive CCTV and ANPR analysis to trace the culprits, recovering a significant portion of the stolen cash. Three other accused remain at large.
The Bombay High Court has referred to a larger bench the question of whether the state can deny furlough to prisoners convicted under special statutes like MCOCA and POCSO, citing potential violations of fundamental rights.
