Supreme Court Overturns High Court Rape Acquittal

The Supreme Court has overturned a Calcutta High Court ruling that controversially advised adolescent girls to 'control sexual urges' and acquitted a man convicted of raping a minor. The apex court criticized the High Court's observations as 'highly objectionable' and in violation of the rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. It emphasized that judges should not preach personal views in their judgments and issued new guidelines for handling cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Supreme Court restored the man's conviction and will have a committee determine his punishment. This ruling underscores the importance of sensitivity and adherence to legal norms in judicial proceedings involving adolescents.