Umesh.T v. State by Bharamasagara Police
Criminal Procedure – quashing of POCSO proceedings on marriage of accused with minor victim
Case brief
What is this about?
Karnataka High Court (M. Nagaprasanna J., 06-02-2026) disposes of CRL.P No.1943 of 2026 under S.482 Cr.P.C./S.528 BNSS: quashes POCSO proceedings in Spl.C.(POCSO) No.194/2025 (Crime No.378/2025, Bharamasagara Police, Chitradurga) under Ss.137(2), 64(2)(m) BNS 2023, Ss.4, 5(l), 6 POCSO Act, S.9 PCMA 2006, S.75 JJ Act 2015 qua accused-husband who married minor victim on 17-04-2024; compounding application under S.528 r/w S.359 BNSS with joint affidavit; Mahesh Mukund Patel v. State of U.P., [2025 SCC Online SC 614], followed; revival rider if accused abandons victim.
What did the court decide?
Criminal petition disposed of; entire proceedings in Spl.C.(POCSO).No.194 of 2025 quashed qua the petitioner-accused, subject to the rider that the proceedings stand revived if the petitioner-accused later leaves the victim in the lurch. ¶76