Indian courts handling POCSO cases

In late July 2026, Indian high courts issued divergent rulings in separate POCSO matters. The Kerala High Court ordered that a 12‑year‑old girl, who had gone missing during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela, remain under protection in Kochi and barred her transfer to Madhya Pradesh authorities without a court order. The court also directed police to continue the investigation, which had already led to the arrest of a suspect from Kollam under the POCSO Act.

The following day, the Meghalaya High Court quashed criminal proceedings under the same act after the accused and the survivor, now a married couple raising a four‑year‑old daughter, petitioned the court. Citing the survivor’s adult status, their cohabitation, and the child’s welfare, the bench dismissed the FIR and ordered that the family receive applicable welfare benefits.

These rulings illustrate how Indian courts are interpreting and applying POCSO legislation on a case‑by‑case basis, balancing child protection with considerations of consent, marriage, and welfare across different states.