Kerala HC Upholds POCSO Conviction, Rejects Consent Plea, Confirms Minor's Age via SSLC Certificate

Kerala HC: Consent Irrelevant in POCSO Cases; Minor's Consent No Defence Under POCSO Act, 2012

The Kerala High Court has unequivocally ruled that consent is irrelevant in sexual offences against minors under the POCSO Act, 2012. This judgment reinforces the absolute protection of children below 18 years, regardless of any claimed 'romantic relationship'. For exam aspirants, this is a critical clarification of the POCSO Act's core principle—consent from a minor is legally void and cannot be a defence.

Kerala HC Quashes POCSO Conviction, Flags Misuse in Matrimonial Disputes

The Kerala High Court has quashed a POCSO conviction, observing that the Act is being misused in matrimonial disputes to settle personal scores. The court emphasized that trial courts must carefully scrutinize evidence to rule out false implications, especially when matrimonial discord is present. This judgment is crucial for understanding judicial safeguards in child protection laws.

Maharashtra Panel Recommends BNS Amendment for Defamatory Social Media Posts; Shreya Singhal Precedent

A Maharashtra government panel has recommended amending the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to specifically criminalize defamatory social media posts, reviving the spirit of the now-struck-down Section 66A of the IT Act. This raises critical constitutional questions about balancing free speech (Article 19(1)(a)) with the right to reputation (Article 21), especially after the Supreme Court struck down Section 66A in Shreya Singhal vs Union of India (2015) for vagueness and overbreadth. For exam aspirants, understanding the legal framework of defamation, the concept of reasonable restrictions, and the proportionality standard is crucial.

Allahabad HC Upholds Mandatory Govt Service Bond for Subsidised PG Medical Education

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that doctors who pursue subsidised PG medical education cannot evade the mandatory two-year government service bond, even if there is administrative delay in providing posting. The court held that the bond ensures availability of doctors in government hospitals and protects patients' right to life under Article 21.

Kerala HC Upholds 4% Disability Quota in Promotions, Sets Aside Contempt Interim Order

Kerala High Court has upheld the 4% disability quota in promotions, confirming the Kerala Administrative Tribunal's 2022 order in favour of an employee with 40% benchmark disability. It, however, set aside the tribunal's 2024 interim contempt order, ruling that positive directions cannot be issued in contempt proceedings. The judgment reinforces Supreme Court precedents in Siddaraju and Leesamma Joseph.

Madras HC Directs TN Chief Secretary to Form Panel on POCSO, Juvenile Justice Gaps

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to form a committee of Home, Health, and Law Secretaries to address systemic gaps in implementing the POCSO and Juvenile Justice Acts. The court made key suggestions including gender-neutral application of POCSO, avoiding criminalizing consensual adolescent relationships, and establishing protocols for medical termination of pregnancy and child witness deposition rooms. This is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it touches upon child rights, judicial activism, and state governance.

Delhi HC Upholds NMC Rule Barring Foreign Medical Grads with Multi-College Degrees from FMGE

The Delhi High Court has upheld the National Medical Commission's decision to bar Indian students who obtained medical degrees after studying across multiple foreign institutions from appearing in the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE). The court ruled that such 'fragmented education' compromises medical quality and is not in public interest, reinforcing the need for embassy attestation of foreign degrees.

SC Upholds NCTE's Power for TEI Performance Reports; 450 B.Ed Colleges Show-Caused

Supreme Court upheld NCTE's power to require annual Performance Appraisal Reports from Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs), overturning a 2023 Delhi HC ruling. Amid quality concerns, West Bengal issued show-cause notices to 450 B.Ed colleges. This ruling strengthens regulatory oversight crucial for NEP 2020's teacher education reforms.