Inserting ‘vibrating machine’ into child is penetrative sexual assault, rules Kerala High Court

Kochi: The Kerala High Court upheld the conviction and 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence of a cosmetology centre manager for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old staff member with a mechanical vibrating tool in July 2019. Justice A. Badharudeen ruled that inserting any object into a minor’s body constitutes penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act and IPC, and rejected the defense’s appeal regarding a two-year delay in reporting, noting that trauma and social stigma frequently cause delayed disclosures in sexual violence cases. 

Action to be Taken 

The convict must immediately serve the mandatory 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence as affirmed by the High Court, though the defense retains the option to challenge the ruling by filing a Special Leave Petition in the Supreme Court. Concurrently, legal proceedings will continue against the cosmetology center’s owner under Section 19 of the POCSO Act for failing to report the crime upon the victim’s initial disclosure, while state legal services authorities carry out the required victim compensation and support measures under POCSO guidelines.

📰 Source: Indian express (English)