The lawledge

20/02/2026

The Supreme Court has clarified that touching the private parts of a minor, even without pe*******on, does not amount to r**e or penetrative sexual assault. Such acts, however, fall under the category of sexual assault as defined by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The Court noted that what matters is the presence of sexual intent and physical contact, whether direct or through clothing. Pe*******on is required only to establish r**e or penetrative sexual assault. By this clarification, the apex court has reaffirmed that children are protected from a wide range of sexually motivated acts, and not just from acts involving pe*******on.

13/11/2025

23/01/2025

Litigation News

Bombay High Court acquits man accused of ra**ng minor daughter for lack of evidence

The Court said that though no father would sexually assault his own daughter, and no daughter would level such an allegation against her father, mistakes can occur.



Nagpur Bench, Bombay High Court

Sahyaja MS

Published on:

22 Jan 2025,

14/01/2025

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, aims to transform the criminal justice system in India. While the specific timeline for various stages of a trial under this code can vary based on the case's nature, here’s a general outline of the stages involved along with estimated timelines:

1. **Filing of FIR/Complaint** (Immediate)
- Filing occurs as soon as an offense is reported to the police.

2. **Investigation Stage** (1-3 months)
- Police conduct an investigation to collect evidence.
- Timeline can vary based on case complexity.

3. **Charge Sheet Submission** (1 month after investigation)
- Police submit a charge sheet to the Magistrate if evidence is sufficient.

4. **Initial Hearing** (1-2 weeks after charge sheet)
- The court reviews the charge sheet and takes preliminary decisions.

5. **Framing of Charges** (2-4 weeks)
- The court determines the charges based on the evidence presented.

6. **Trial Stage** (6 months to 2 years)
- Examination of witnesses and presentation of evidence.
- Duration can vary widely due to court schedules and case complexity.

7. **Final Arguments** (2-4 weeks)
- Both prosecution and defense present their concluding arguments.

8. **Judgment Pronouncement** (1-2 months)
- The court delivers its verdict after considering the arguments.

9. **Appeals (if applicable)** (Varies)
- The timeline for appeals depends on the higher court's schedule.

10/09/2024