Touching Child's Breast with Sexual Intent is Sexual Assault Under POCSO, Meghalaya High Court Rules

The Meghalaya High Court has firmly held that touching a child's breast with sexual intent constitutes "sexual assault" under Section 7 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, even in the absence of penetration. The ruling came as the Court dismissed an appeal by a man convicted for abusing his 15-year-old niece.

The Case of a 15-Year-Old Survivor

The appellant, Rockyroy Lyngkhoi, was the uncle of the survivor, who had been living with him and his wife while attending school in Myriaw village. According to the prosecution, on September 23, 2019, after picking her up from tuition, the appellant took her home, asked her about boyfriends, and then called her to his bedroom. The survivor testified that he fondled her breasts and committed a penetrative sexual