[POCSO] Principal, Teacher Not Guilty Of Failure To Report Crime When Student's Complaint Was Sent To Police The Very Next Day: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court quashed the case against a school principal and teacher for failing to report a sexual offence against a minor on the same day it was reported to them. The court found it harsh to hold them liable as they informed the police the next day, and an FIR was lodged promptly. The court emphasized that a delay of one day does not constitute willful omission under Section 19 read with Section 21 of the POCSO Act. The principal and teacher had argued that they were concerned about the victim’s ordeal and the impact on the accused’s family. The court ruled that the short delay did not justify criminal culpability, highlighting the importance of context in such cases.