HC’S ORDER ON ‘SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT’ STAYED BY APEX COURT

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed a Bombay high court ruling acquitting a man of sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act because of the absence of skinto-skin contact with the minor victim and permitted attorney general KK Venugopal to file a petition against the order.

The HC order stated that section 8 of the POCSO Act, which penalises physical contact with sexual intent without penetration, did not apply as the minor was still wearing her clothes.

Venugopal sought a stay of the HC judgment and said, “The order is very disturbing.”