Rajasthan HC Retains Sexual Harassment Charge Against Man For Showing Adult Videos To Child, Says Intent To Be Assumed When Harassment Is Proved

The Rajasthan High Court has provided important clarification regarding the presumption of sexual intent under Section 29 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court explicitly stated that the statutory presumption of sexual intent against an accused individual comes into effect only when the prosecution has successfully proven the foundational facts of the case beyond a reasonable doubt. This judgment serves as a crucial safeguard against the possibility of mechanical convictions in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse, emphasizing the need for rigorous proof of the underlying facts.