Raushan Kumar v. The State of Bihar
Case brief
What is this about?
POCSO Act conviction quashed for failure to conclusively determine victim's age under Section 34(2) POCSO read with Section 94 JJ Act 2015 (Jarnail Singh v. State of Haryana (2013) 7 SCC 263; P. Yuvaprakash AIR 2023 SC 3525; school/birth certificate preference over ossification or medical age test; radiological examination alone impermissible; Jyoti Prakash Rai (2008) 15 SCC 223 — medical age report not conclusive). Kidnapping for forcible marriage Section 366-A IPC and rape Section 376 IPC acquittal on benefit of doubt: conflicting FIR and Section 164 CrPC versions on coaching-centre attendance; no Section 161 CrPC victim statement; Delhi place of occurrence unproved; mode of transport undisclosed; minority under 18 a condition precedent for Section 366-A; sole testimony of victim not reliable; Section 24 POCSO statement procedure ignored; reverse burden Sections 29/30 POCSO distinguished. Patna High Court, Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 277 of 2022, Madhepura P.S. Case 297/2018, judgment dated 08-01-2024; sentences of R.I. 7 years/fine Rs 10,000 and R.I. 20 years/fine Rs 20,000 set aside; release from custody directed.