Published on : 06 Dec 2025, 2:23 pm 2 min read

The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court recently held that the act of holding a minor's hand and offering money with an invitation to engage in sexual activity constitutes sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) [Sheikh Rafique Sk Gulab v. State of Maharashtra].

Justice Nivedita P Mehta made the observation while upholding the conviction and three-year jail sentence of a man under the POCSO Act.

“ The act of catching hold of the hand of a minor child, accompanied by an offer of money and an invitation to engage in sexual activity, unmistakably demonstrates sexual intent ”, the Court said in its passed on December 4.

The Court was hearing an appeal filed by accused Sheikh Rafique

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