Supreme Court stays Bombay High Court's 'skin-to-skin' verdict in minor's groping case

A Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde has also issued notice to the accused in the case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the Bombay High Court order which held that groping a child without skin-to-skin touch would not amount to sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Attorney General K K Venugopal mentioned the matter before a bench presided over by Chief Justice S A Bobde saying the order was disturbing and would set a dangerous precedent.

Also read — Mere groping is not sexual assault: Bombay HC

Allowing his plea, the court stayed the January 19 order of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court that acquitted the accused under Section 8 of POCSO Act.

It also issued notice to the Maharashtra government and the accused.

The court allowed the A-G to file a special leave petition against the High Court order.

The High Court's order had invited widespread condemnation by the activists. The National Commission for Women had also decided to separately approach the top court against the High Court's judgement, which, it said, had trivialised the legal provisions for the safety and security of women.