Reporting of offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, particularly by doctors, requires strict compliance, failing which the offender committing the offence arising out of a consensual sexual activity or rape or sexual abuse on a child will get away from the clutches of law, said the High Court of Karnataka.
“Responsibility to report is cast on all stakeholders. Therefore, it is necessary for the State to direct strict compliance with Section 19 [reporting of offences], particularly by doctors, who indulge in medical termination of pregnancy of minors in extenuating circumstances,” the Court observed.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna made these observations while refusing to quash the chargesheet filed against medical practitioner, Chandrashekhar T.B. of Chikkamagaluru, for failure to report an offence under POCSO Act.
