Teenager Allegedly Raped and Impregnated by Schoolmate in Thane
A 14-year-old girl in Bhiwandi, Thane, was allegedly raped and impregnated by her 14-year-old male schoolmate. According to a police complaint filed by the victim, the assault took place in May when the accused reportedly called her to his house. The case came to light after the girl was discovered to be pregnant. Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act and have launched an investigation into the matter.
Unpacked:
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is a law in India designed to safeguard children from sexual abuse and exploitation. It mandates stringent punishment for offenders and child-friendly procedures for handling cases. In this case, both the victim and accused are minors, so the POCSO Act is applied to ensure legal protection and justice for the child victim.
When both parties are minors, the law treats the accused as a 'child in conflict with law' under the Juvenile Justice Act, focusing on reformative rather than punitive measures. The POCSO Act still applies, but proceedings are adjusted for juveniles, emphasizing rehabilitation, not just punishment.
Challenges include underreporting, procedural delays, inadequate training of police, lack of victim support services, and inconsistent enforcement across regions. These issues often lead to low conviction rates and prolonged trials, undermining the Act’s deterrence and protective objectives.
The POCSO Act provides for counseling, rehabilitation, and financial compensation to child victims. However, practical implementation is uneven, with frequent delays in compensation, insufficient counseling services, and gaps in victim assistance programs, which can hinder recovery.