In Brief
A man was convicted under Section 8 of the POCSO Act 2012 for sexually assaulting a minor and sentenced to three years imprisonment and Rs. 5,000 fine. On appeal, he challenged the conviction citing investigative defects and inconsistencies in witness statements. The Supreme Court held that the victim's core testimony—that he was sexually assaulted—was never contradicted despite investigative shortcomings, and prosecution had discharged its burden under Section 29 of the POCSO Act. The conviction was upheld but the sentence was modified to one month imprisonment and Rs. 50,000 fine (to be paid to the victim) to reflect proportionality."
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