Delhi High Court clarifies POCSO Act cases cannot be dismissed solely on victim turning hostile

Exam-focused facts from the 29 December 2025 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Delhi High Court ruled that a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cannot be dismissed merely because the victim turns hostile, especially when scientific evidence is available.
The court upheld the 20-year jail term of a man convicted of raping his minor stepdaughter, despite the victim retracting her statement during trial.
The court emphasized that child victims may retract due to fear of losing shelter, financial stability, or family pressure, and such hostility should not undermine the prosecution's case.