Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court, CRL OP No. 16166 of 2026 (decided 25-06-2026, M. Nirmal Kumar, J.): quashing of POCSO special case Spl.SC.No.408 of 2024 (Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kallakurichi). Petitioner/accused Kirushnamoorthy faced trial under Sections 366, 354A, 342, 506(i), 294(b) IPC and 5(1) r/w 6 POSCO Act for alleged sexual assault of a minor (third respondent) on 26.04.2021 on a false promise of marriage; FIR on complaint of the victim's mother (second respondent, Kolanji); final report taken on file. At hearing, victim had attained majority, couple living as husband and wife with a girl child; de facto complainant and victim filed affidavit and Joint Compromise Memo withdrawing from the case; identities confirmed by police. Relying on K. Dhandapani v. State by the Inspector of Police, 2022 SCC Online SC 1056, the Court held that despite POCSO offences being serious and generally non-compoundable, ground realities and the welfare of the victim and child prevail; continuation would be futile and an abuse of process. Petition allowed; Spl.SC.No.408 of 2024 quashed; affidavit and Joint Compromise Memo form part of the record.