Quashing POCSO proceedings permissible post-victim's majority, marriage to accused, and joint compromise as abuse of process.

ORDER

The present petition has been filed by the accused person in Spl.C.C.No.4 of 2026 on the file of the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of POCSO Act Cases, Tirunelveli seeking to quash the F.I.R wherein they are charged with the offences under Sections 296(b) and 115(2), BNS r/w 5(1), 5(n), 6 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

2.The date of birth of the victim is 10.10.2007. She had attained majority on 10.10.2025. She married the defacto complainant on 20.02.2026 on attaining majority and the marriage has been registered before the Registrar of Marriages, Gangaikondan on 17.03.2026.

3.The defacto complainant was present before this Court and submitted that she had married the accused person on 17.03.2026 and she does not want to continue the prosecution. They have also filed a joint compromise memo wherein the defacto complainant has agreed for quashing the charge sheet as against the accused person.

4.Considering the fact that the defacto complainant had married the accused No.1 and they are living peaceful married life, continuation of criminal prosecution as against the accused person should only be an abuse of process of law. Accused Nos.2 and 3 are the parents of the first accused. The charge sheet in Spl.C.C.No.4 of 2026 on the file of the Special Court for Exclusive Trial of cases under POCSO Act, Tirunelveli is hereby squashed. This Criminal Original Petition stands allowed. The joint compromise memo shall form part of this order.