AJAY BHANOT
Aman @ Vansh – Appellant
Versus
State of U. P. – Respondent
Certainly. Based on the provided legal document, here are the key points:
Accurate medical age determination is crucial in POCSO cases to prevent misuse of the law and to ensure justice is served. It significantly influences bail decisions, especially when there are discrepancies in the victim's age documentation or statements (!) (!) .
The medical report, which estimates the victim's age, should be prepared by qualified medical professionals following the latest scientific protocols and medical parameters. This report aids the court in making a conclusive finding on the victim’s age and helps prevent false implications or abuse of the POCSO Act (!) (!) (!) .
Delay in obtaining medical age reports or failure to conduct such examinations can impede justice. The law mandates that police authorities ensure a medical report determining the victim’s age is prepared at the outset of investigation, and the report must be submitted promptly to the court (!) (!) .
The medical examination of a child victim under the POCSO Act must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Criminal Procedure Code, with the examination performed by a qualified medical practitioner, preferably a woman if the victim is a girl, and in the presence of a trusted person or parent if available (!) (!) (!) .
Medical reports that indicate the victim is a major can be a decisive factor in bail considerations, especially when there are contradictions or inconsistencies regarding the victim’s age in the prosecution documents and statements (!) (!) .
The court emphasizes that the process of determining the victim's age through medical examination is an essential legal requirement and a fundamental aspect of justice in cases under the POCSO Act. This process should be adhered to strictly, and the reports should be utilized to prevent wrongful prosecution based on false age claims (!) (!) .
The law also stipulates that the medical report should include detailed particulars such as the victim’s age, description of material taken for DNA profiling, marks of injury, mental condition, and reasons for each conclusion [p_44–p_48].
The authorities and medical professionals involved must ensure that the medical examination and reporting follow established protocols and scientific standards, with ongoing training and research to stay updated with the latest developments (!) .
The legal framework recognizes that false depiction of a victim's age is an abuse of the judicial process and can lead to wrongful criminalization. Proper medical age verification is vital to avoid such misuse and to uphold the integrity of the justice system (!) (!) .
The court underscores the importance of transparency, proper procedure, and timely medical examination in safeguarding the rights of victims and accused alike, ensuring that justice is fairly administered (!) (!) .
JUDGMENT :
Ajay Bhanot, J.
Matter is taken up in the revised call.
Shri Paritosh Kumar Malviya, learned AGA-I for the State contends that the police authorities in compliance of the directions issued by this Court in Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 46998 of 2020 (Junaid v. State of U.P. and another) and with a view to implement the provisions of POCSO Act, 2012 read with POCSO Rules, 2020, have served the bail application upon the victim/legal guardian as well as upon the CWC.
2. By means of the bail application the applicant has prayed to be enlarged on bail in Case Crime No. 419 of 2023 at Police Station-Shalimar Garden, District-Ghaziabad under Sections 363, 376 IPC and Sections 3/4 of POCSO Act. The applicant is in jail since 5.12.2023.
The bail application of the applicant was rejected by the learned trial Court on 21.12.2023.
3. The following arguments made by Shri Vikash Chandra Tiwari, learned counsel on behalf of the applicant, which could not be satisfactorily refuted by Shri Ajay Singh Yadav, learned counsel for the informant and Shri Paritosh Kumar Malviya, learned AGA-I from the record, entitle the applicant for grant of bail :
Accurate medical age determination is essential in POCSO cases to prevent misuse and ensure justice, impacting bail decisions significantly.
The court emphasized the necessity of accurate age determination in POCSO cases, requiring reasoned medical reports and adherence to statutory provisions for bail applications.
The Supreme Court clarified that age determination in POCSO cases must follow statutory provisions strictly, and bail courts cannot exceed their jurisdiction to conduct mini-trials on age credibility....
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It is well settled that ossification test or other medical test though is a guiding factor for determining age but it is not conclusive or incontrovertible and leaves a margin of error of two years o....
The court emphasized that the presumption of innocence applies, and bail should be granted unless exceptional circumstances warrant denial, particularly in cases involving misrepresentation of a vict....
Point of Law : There was failure on the part of the prosecution to establish the essential foundational facts to attract the provision of POCSO Act.
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