Mon Aug 18 16:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on it:
**Summary:**
The Karnataka High Court has ruled that a woman can be charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for penetrative sexual assault against a minor, emphasizing that the law is gender-neutral. The court refused to dismiss a case against a 52-year-old woman accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy in 2020. The court dismissed arguments about the delay in reporting the crime, the boy’s potential state of shock, and gender stereotypes regarding sexual activity. The ruling clarifies the interpretation of the POCSO Act, asserting that the term “he” encompasses both male and female individuals when referring to perpetrators of sexual offences against children.
**News Article:**
**Karnataka High Court: Women Can Be Charged Under POCSO for Sexual Assault**
**Bengaluru, August 18, 2025** – In a landmark ruling, the High Court of Karnataka has declared that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, applies equally to women who commit acts of penetrative sexual assault against minors, affirming the law’s gender-neutral nature.
The ruling came as the court refused to dismiss a criminal case against Archana, a 52-year-old artist, accused of compelling a 13-year-old boy into sexual acts at her residence in 2020. The alleged incidents occurred after the boy was sent to Archana’s home by his mother to assist with posting her paintings on Instagram.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna stated that Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act apply to anyone who “compels a minor child to do penetrative or other sexual acts with him or other persons,” regardless of gender. The court clarified that the pronoun “he” within the Act should be interpreted to include both male and female individuals, aligning with definitions within the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The court dismissed arguments presented by the defense regarding the four-year delay in reporting the incident, asserting that this delay and the lack of a potency test on the boy did not warrant quashing the case given the serious nature of the alleged offense and the victim’s age.
Furthermore, the court rejected the defense’s argument that the boy could not have had an erection if he was in shock during the alleged assaults, stating that psychological shock does not necessarily preclude physiological responses. It also dismissed outdated gender stereotypes suggesting only men can be active participants in sexual assault.
This ruling sets a significant precedent in the interpretation and application of the POCSO Act, ensuring that individuals of any gender who commit sexual offenses against children can be held accountable under the law.
First Piper 