GS Paper-2
Syllabus: laws to protect vulnerable sections of society, issues related to minorities, POCSO Act etc.
Context:
- The Delhi High Court has rejected the assertion that a minor Muslim girl who has attained the age of puberty would fall out of the ambit of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
- High Court Justice made this observation while rejecting the plea of a man, who is facing charges of rape along with provisions of the POCSO Act for allegedly having a “physical relationship” with a minor girl after their engagement.
- The judge however rejected his plea observing that, “POCSO is an Act for the protection of children below 18 years of age from sexual abuse and exploitation.
- The Act is aimed to secure the children and ensure they are not abused.
Features of POCSO:
Insta Links:
Practice Questions:
Q. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (UPSC 2016)
Q. With reference to POCSO Act 2012, consider the following statements:
- It defines a child as any person below 14 years of age.
- It includes protection from sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct:
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (a)
Justification:
- The POCSO Act was enacted to protect children aged less than 18 from sexual assault sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and pornography.
- The act mandates that investigation in the cases is to be completed in two months (from the date of registration of FIR) and trial in six months.
- The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age.
