Index to the Judgment

FACTUAL BACKDROP .....................................................................................2

SUBMISSIONS BEFORE THE COURT.....................................................6

ANALYSIS & FINDINGS..................................................................................7

The Issue...............................................................................................................7

Understanding Section 19 and 21 of POCSO Act..........................................7

Assessment of the factual matrix and circumstances......................................9

Non-reporting vs. delayed reporting of offence............................................14

The child’s shattered trust and the role of mother........................................15

The complexities of reporting sexual abuse: A mother’s dilemma .............17

Importance of social context in criminal adjudication .................................17

Where law meets life: A judge’s daily encounter with humanity .................18

The decision........................................................................................................19

DR. SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J

1.