Madras High Court upholds life imprisonment for man convicted of sexually abusing daughter’s friend

The Madras High Court affirmed the conviction and life imprisonment of a man found guilty of sexually abusing his daughter’s minor friend, under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Court upheld the trial court’s reasoning, finding consistent testimony from the victim and corroborating medical evidence. It emphasized that courts must approach sexual offence cases with utmost sensitivity and should not allow technicalities to defeat justice. The judgment reiterated that child victims’ testimonies deserve credibility if coherent and consistent. It also criticized attempts to trivialize such grave offences and reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights. This decision reinforces deterrence against sexual crimes and strengthens jurisprudence on protection of minors under criminal law.