Sexual offences involving children can’t be nullified based on compromise: Delhi High Court refuses to quash FIR in POCSO Case

The Delhi High Court recently said that sexual offences involving children cannot be nullified merely on the basis of settlements between the parties and dismissed the plea seeking quashing of FIR in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act ( POCSO ) case.

Justice Amit Mahajan noted that such offences cannot be extinguished only at the convenience of the parties or because the victim subsequently decided to marry the culprit.

“Offences of the nature alleged particularly those involving sexual offences involving children cannot be nullified merely on the basis of settlements between the parties…Any such compromise or marriage does not ipso facto efface the gravity of the offence or wipe out the seriousness of the allegations,” the court noted.

Case

An FIR was registered aga