The Delhi High Court has denied bail to a man accused of sexually assaulting his 8-year-old daughter. Justice Subramaniam Prasad, while rejecting the bail plea, stated that the accused allegedly committed a very heinous crime against his own daughter, and granting bail would undermine the very purpose of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which is designed to protect minors from sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation.The court also dismissed the accuseds claim that his wife had filed a false complaint against him due to marital issues. Justice Prasad emphasized that no mother would jeopardize her childs safety in such a manner. The court stressed that sexual assault can cause long-term psychological trauma to children, affecting their thought processes, normal social development, and potentially requiring future psychological intervention.In a recent ruling, the court stated, The well-being of the child should be given the highest priority, particularly when their mental state is at such a vulnerable and developing stage. The long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse can be unbearable. The court further noted that the charges against the accused fall under the definition of aggravated sexual assault under the POCSO Act, which carries a punishment of at least 20 years in prison or even the death penalty.The court concluded that granting bail at this stage could undermine the POCSO Acts intent to protect children from such heinous crimes. With these observations, the bail petition was dismissed.
