Evidentiary Deficiencies, Tutored Child Testimony, and Adverse Inferences in POCSO Convictions

sketch of the Supreme Court of India
Case
CHARMING RUPON v. THE STATE OF MEGHALAYA (Supreme Court of India, 09-10-2026)
Law
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Indian Evidence Act, Code of Criminal Procedure.

Highlights of the Judgment:

  • Examination of the evidentiary reliability of a specially-abled minor witness under the POCSO Act, 2012.
  • Application of Section 106 of the Indian Evidence Act regarding the applicability of the last-seen theory.
  • Legal consequences of withholding a material witness and the principles governing adverse inferences.
  • Impact of significant delays in lodging the First Information Report (FIR) and material improvements in testimony.
  • Evaluation of the defence plea of alibi and proper cross-examination rights of medical jurists.