Delhi HC Rules Minor's Consent Invalid Under MTP Act; Doctor Must Face Trial for POCSO Violations

Delhi HC Holds Doctor Must Verify Minor's Age, Report Termination Under POCSO

Delhi HC rules that a medical practitioner cannot rely solely on a patient's oral age claim for abortion; must verify age through documentary evidence and report minor's pregnancy under POCSO. This reinforces medico-legal responsibilities and is crucial for exam questions on MTP Act, POCSO Act, and judicial interpretation.

Delhi HC: Muslim Personal Law Marriage Cannot Immunize Sexual Assault of Minor Under POCSO Act, BNS

Delhi HC held that a marriage valid under Muslim personal law does not confer immunity from POCSO and BNS for sexual intercourse with a minor wife. The court refused to quash FIR against a 28-year-old man who married a 16-year-old girl, emphasizing that consent of a minor is irrelevant and Parliament has not provided marital exception in POCSO.

Delhi HC Rules Medical Boards Can't Reduce UDID Disability % for NEET-UG PwBD Admission

Delhi High Court ruled that medical assessment boards cannot reduce the disability percentage recorded in a candidate's UDID card when evaluating NEET-UG eligibility under the PwBD category. The court emphasized that UDID cards have primacy and boards can only assess functional competency, not re-quantify disability. This protects the rights of persons with benchmark disabilities and prevents unfair exclusion from reservation benefits.

Delhi HC Overturns Acquittal in 2013 Harassment Case, Upholds IPC Section 354A, POCSO Charge Dropped

Delhi High Court overturned a 2014 acquittal in a 2013 sexual harassment case, convicting the accused under IPC Section 354A while dismissing POCSO charges due to age proof deficiencies. The court delivered strong observations against victim-blaming based on clothing and character, and cautioned judicial officers against humiliating cross-examination.

Delhi HC Releases 2 Life Convicts Citing Chekhov; SRB Rejection 'Arbitrary' Under Article 21

The Delhi High Court ordered the release of two life-term convicts, holding that prolonged imprisonment 'kills slowly' and that Sentence Review Boards cannot reject early release pleas based on stereotyped reasoning. The judgment reinforces Article 21 rights and sets important guidelines for evaluating post-conviction conduct.

Delhi HC Rules Maternity Leave Cannot Reduce Role/Prospects; Centre to Frame Rules in 6 Months

The Delhi High Court ruled that a woman returning from maternity leave is entitled to resume her previous position without loss of role or career prospects. The court directed the Centre to frame rules within six months on workplace accommodation, lactation support, and grievance redressal. This judgment reinforces the protection under Section 12 of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

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.

Delhi HC Refuses Stay on Copyright Ruling: LLM Training as 'Fair Use' Under Scrutiny

The Delhi High Court has refused to immediately stay a landmark ruling that allowed AI companies like OpenAI to train large language models on copyrighted content without licensing, citing 'fair use'. This case will define India's legal stance on AI training and intellectual property, with implications for tech regulation and content creators.