Delhi High Court: Mother’s Silence and Permitting Abuse Amounts to Abetment Under POCSO Act

The Delhi High Court upheld the conviction of a mother for abetting the rape of her 11-year-old daughter under Sections 6 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that the mother's actions, silencing the victim, instructing her to comply, and allowing the accused to share a bed with the child constituted intentional assistance and aiding, falling squarely within the ambit of "abetment" under Section 16 of the POCSO Act. 

The Court also upheld the sentence of 25 years of rigorous imprisonment awarded to the mother.