Gauhati High Court upholds POCSO sentence, rejects reliance on minor's purported willingness

The Gauhati High Court has upheld a twenty year POCSO sentence, rejecting reliance on a child's purported willingness to accompany the accused. The Court found that school records and supporting evidence established that she was below sixteen when the events occurred. It examined the defence objections to witness testimony and medical evidence but found no basis to disturb conviction. The appeal concerned offences under Section 366 IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. The ruling does not suggest that sixteen is the general age of consent under POCSO: the statute protects children below eighteen. The accused's appeal was dismissed.