Supreme Court to Examine Delhi High Court’s Acquittal in POCSO Case Over Interpretation of ‘Sambandh Banaya’

The Supreme Court has issued notice in a plea challenging the Delhi High Court's acquittal of a 22-year-old man, earlier convicted for raping a 14-year-old girl.

The High Court overturned the trial court’s life imprisonment verdict, ruling that the minor’s use of phrases like “sambandh banaya” and “physical relation” did not conclusively prove sexual intercourse or penetrative sexual assault, as required under Section 3 of POCSO and Section 376 IPC.

The petition was filed by NGO ‘Just Rights for Children Alliance’, with Delhi Police supporting it and preparing a separate appeal. The case will be heard after four weeks. [Just Rights For Children Alliance v Sahjan Ali And Anr]