The MHB police have filed an FIR against Alt Balaji Telefilm and its producers, Ektaa and Shobha Kapoor, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. This comes after a Borivali court ordered an investigation into a complaint filed by a yoga instructor alleging that obscenity and inappropriate scenes involving minors were featured in Alt Balaji's web series. The case includes charges for using children for pornographic purposes, and both the police and the producers are expected to release statements as the investigation unfolds.
The Supreme Court has deemed downloading, storing, and watching child pornography as an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. The court has set aside a previous judgment by the Madras High Court, which stated that downloading and viewing such content is not punishable. In light of this, the Supreme Court has urged the central government to change the terminology from "child pornography" to "child sexually abusive and exploitative material" and has directed other courts to refrain from using the term as well. This decision comes after a plea filed by an NGO coalition to challenge the Madras High Court's order, arguing that it would encourage child pornography and harm the well-being of children.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar apologises for the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Malvan fort. In other news, the Bombay High Court emphasises the need for gender sensitisation among schoolchildren during the Badlapur sexual abuse case hearing and directs the SIT to invoke Section 16 of the POCSO Act. The weather bureau predicts moderate showers for Mumbai. Meanwhile, Maharashtra cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar defends his controversial remarks on the statue collapse and demands a 100-ft statue of Shivaji in Sindhudurg.
In a case involving sexual exploitation of minor girls, the Supreme Court directed the pontiff of Murugharajendra Mutt, Chitradurga to surrender and remain in judicial custody until the examination of material witnesses is completed within four months. The court also put on hold a Karnataka High Court order granting bail to the pontiff and directed the trial court to expedite the proceedings and complete them within a year. The bench made this decision after hearing arguments from both the parties and considering the sensitivity of the case.
The Karnataka High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Varun Kumar, a national-level hockey player, who is accused of raping a minor girl after promising to marry her. The court noted that the relationship between Kumar and the girl continued for four years after she turned 18 and that the allegation of using photographs to trap her seemed unlikely as she comes from a influential family. The court also noted that if Kumar is found guilty during the trial, the law will take its course, but pre-trial detention would be a serious stigma on his character.
The Delhi High Court ruled in favor of a man accused of sexual assault under POCSO Act, citing deficiencies in the prosecution's case and lack of reliability in the victim's testimony. The court emphasized the negative impact of wrongful conviction and took note of potential influencing factors in the case, including animosity and marital disputes. The case sparked debate in the High Court and highlights the need for a fair and thorough investigation before convicting someone under POCSO Act.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa faces serious charges after being booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act following a complaint by the mother of a 17-year-old survivor. The survivor's mother alleges that 81-year-old Yediyurappa sexually assaulted her daughter during a meeting. The BJP stalwart has been booked under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code. No comment has been made by Yediyurappa or his family on the matter.
India's 2021 Arjuna Award winner Varun Kumar, a player for the Punjab Warriors, has been accused of raping a minor while she was receiving training at the Sports Authority of India's South Division in Bengaluru. The victim, who was chosen for volleyball by the National Center of Excellence, stated that Kumar had allegedly promised to marry her and had forced physical contact with her when she was 17. Kumar, who is currently a member of India's roster for the 2023–24 FIH Hockey Pro League, is facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Assault (POCSO) Act. His team will be facing off against Spain in their first game of the season.