POCSO Act

A Rajasthan High Court Division Bench set aside the conviction of four men sentenced to life imprisonment for gang rape under the IPC and the POCSO Act, and acquitted them (paras 1, 57). It held the FIR hit by Section 162 CrPC because the complainant's first report at a police chowki was never produced, found her minority unproved, and rejected the DNA report because the chain of custody of the samples was not established (paras 19-20, 29, 44).

A Full Bench of the Rajasthan High Court answered a reference on whether prisoners convicted under Section 376 IPC or the POCSO Act can be shifted to an Open Air Camp (para 1). Reading ‘ordinarily’ in Rule 3 of the Rajasthan Prisoners Open Air Camp Rules, 1972, it held that they are not totally ineligible but have no automatic right; the Advisory Committee must assess each case with reasons (paras 14-15). Three Division Bench rulings were overruled (para 16).

Two years after its Just Rights judgment, the Supreme Court found 'no progress worth the name' in curbing child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEAM) online and laid down a framework: a National Hash & URL List Database, immediate removal of known material, reporting within two hours, trained grievance officers, forfeiture of paywall revenue and exemplary fines. It also held internet access a fundamental right (paras 11, 292, 316).

The Supreme Court set aside an Allahabad High Court order granting bail to an accused under the UP Gangsters Act, finding that the High Court was not told of his criminal history - nine cases listed in the State's counter affidavit - and was misled that he had none. The bail plea goes back to the High Court for fresh consideration, and the accused must surrender by 30.10.2026 (paras 3-4, 7-12).

The Supreme Court dismissed Tamil Nadu's challenge to a Madras High Court judgment striking down G.O.(Ms.) No. 314 of 09.03.2024, which let converts to Islam from Backward Class, Most Backward Class, Denotified and Scheduled Caste communities to be certified as members of seven notified Backward Class Muslim communities. Conversion establishes religious affiliation, not membership of a birth-based community, and backwardness suffered in the Hindu social order does not travel into the new religion (paras 39, 45, 62-63).

The Rajasthan High Court refused to interfere under Article 227 with orders requiring a son, his wife and their son to vacate the house of his senior citizen mother under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 (paras 1, 3, 9). Holding that authorities may direct the eviction of erring children or relatives to secure a senior citizen's right to live with dignity, it dismissed the petition with Rs 25,000 costs payable to the mother (paras 8, 12).