Allahabad High Court shocker: Oral sex with a child a ‘lesser’ offence

The Allahabad High Court has observed that 'oral sex' with a minor does not come under the 'aggravated sexual assault' category in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The court reducing the jail term of a man convicted of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old boy.

In the judgment, the court said the crime falls in the 'penetrative sexual assault' category which is punishable under Section 4 of the POCSO Act.

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In 2016, a man in Jhansi was booked for having "oral sex" with the 10-year-old boy in exchange for Rs 20. The boy had also been threatened with dire consequences if he told anybody about the incident.

A lower court then sentenced the accused to 10-year jail term. The convict appealed against the sentence in the high court.

The Allahabad High Court partly allowed the appeal and sentenced the convict to seven years in jail instead of 10 years.