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Consent irrelevant in POCSO cases, says Kerala High Court
India🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/3/2026

Consent irrelevant in POCSO cases, says Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled that consent is irrelevant in cases involving minors under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. This decision came after the court dismissed an appeal by an accused individual who had been convicted of rape and sexual assault under the POCSO Act. The accused claimed he was falsely implicated and that the minor had been in a romantic relationship with him. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that the evidence provided by the minor was credible and that the conviction was justified. The trial court had imposed a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of ₹50,000, which the High Court confirmed as the minimum possible punishment.

The Kerala High Court ruled on Tuesday (September 2, 2026) that consent is irrelevant in cases involving a minor, emphasizing that the presence of a love relationship does not negate the criminality of sexual offenses against children. The court dismissed a challenge to a conviction under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012, stating that the testimony of the minor was credible and that the accused had been properly convicted. Justice A. Badharudeen upheld the trial court's decision, which found the accused guilty of rape under the Indian Penal Code and sexual assault under the POCSO Act. The accused, who had claimed he was falsely implicated, argued that the minor was in a romantic relationship with him and that the sexual assault allegation arose after another case was filed against him for assaulting the minor’s father. The High Court rejected these claims, noting that the accusations lacked merit. The trial court imposed a 10-year prison term and a fine of ₹50,000. The court denied the accused’s request for a reduced sentence, stating that the punishment met the minimum required under the law. Separately, in the UK, a man in his 60s, along with 12 others, faces trial for drugging and raping his wife over several years. Prosecutors allege the group, consisting of men aged 28 to 73, subjected the woman to repeated abuse while she was unconscious. The charges include multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and possession of intimate images.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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2 reports

The Hindu logoThe HinduIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 909/3/2026
Consent irrelevant in POCSO cases, says Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled that consent is irrelevant in cases involving minors under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. This decision came after the court dismissed an appeal by an accused individual who had been convicted of rape and sexual assault under the POCSO Act. The accused claimed he was falsely implicated and that the minor had been in a romantic relationship with him. However, the court rejected these arguments, stating that the evidence provided by the minor was credible and that the conviction was justified. The trial court had imposed a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of ₹50,000, which the High Court confirmed as the minimum possible punishment.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a judicial ruling regarding the interpretation of the POCSO Act, focusing on the legal stance that consent is irrelevant in cases involving minors. The report presents the court's decision and the arguments from both the accused and the court without apparent bias. It does not

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the Kerala High Court's ruling that consent is irrelevant in POCSO cases involving minors. It provides details of the case, the arguments presented by the accused, and the court's findings without embellishment. The information aligns with the cross-source consensus th

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the court's decision and the arguments from both sides in a neutral manner. It avoids emotional language and focuses on the legal reasoning and facts of the case, maintaining a balanced and objective tone.

NDTV logoNDTVParty-alignedCenterFactual 85Objective 759/2/2026
UK Man, 12 Others Accused Of Drugging, Raping Wife Face Trial

A UK man and 12 others are facing trial after being accused of drugging and raping his wife. The charges include five counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, six counts of assault by penetration, and one charge related to the unauthorized sharing of intimate photographs or films. The allegations were brought by the Greater Manchester Police, which outlined the specific offenses in the case.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about legal charges against individuals without overtly endorsing or criticizing any political stance. It focuses on the legal proceedings and does not frame the issue through a particular ideological lens.

Why factuality (85): The article reports on charges filed against a UK man and others by Greater Manchester Police, including specific counts such as rape, sexual assault, and assault by penetration. While no primary source document was available, the information aligns with typical police press releases and standard le

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the charges in a straightforward manner but uses emotionally charged terms like 'drugging' and 'raping,' which may imply a narrative rather than purely factual reporting. It does not provide context or perspectives beyond the prosecution's case, leaning slightly toward a prosecu

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