In a landmark ruling, the Mumbai High Court clarified that marriage to the victim does not cancel a POCSO case. The judgement came in a case where a 29-year-old man sexually abused a 17-year-old girl and later married her.
The couple now has a child, and the victim, who is his wife, sought to withdraw the case. However, the High Court made it clear that offences under POCSO cannot be nullified by marriage and refused to close the case.
Women’s rights activists and NGOs welcomed the decision, calling it a progressive step. They argued that allowing marriage to erase such crimes sets a dangerous precedent, and the court’s stance sends a strong message against normalising abuse.
Experts point out that cases of sexual assault on minors have been increasing, with easy access to porn often cited as a contributing factor. The judgement is being hailed as a milestone in protecting minors and upholding justice.
