The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
# THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT, 2012

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# ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Last update- 28-02-2023
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CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.

CHAPTER II

SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN

A.—PENETRATIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

3. Penetrative sexual assault.
4. Punishment for penetrative sexual assault.

B.—AGGRAVATED PENETRATIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

5. Aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
6. Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault.

C.—SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

7. Sexual assault.
8. Punishment for sexual assault.

D.—AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

9. Aggravated sexual assault.
10. Punishment for aggravated sexual assault.

E.—SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

11. Sexual harassment.
12. Punishment for sexual harassment.

CHAPTER III

USING CHILD FOR PORNOGRAPHIC PURPOSES AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

13. Use of child for pornographic purposes.
14. Punishment for using child for pornographic purposes.
15. Punishment for storage of pornographic material involving child.

CHAPTER IV

ABETMENT OF AND ATTEMPT TO COMMIT AN OFFENCE

16. Abetment of an offence.
17. Punishment for abetment.
18. Punishment for attempt to commit an offence.

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CHAPTER V

PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING OF CASES

SECTIONS

19. Reporting of offences.
20. Obligation of media, studio and photographic facilities to report cases.
21. Punishment for failure to report or record a case.
22. Punishment for false complaint or false information.
23. Procedure for media.

CHAPTER VI

PROCEDURES FOR RECORDING STATEMENT OF THE CHILD

24. Recording of statement of a child.
25. Recording of statement of a child by Magistrate.
26. Additional provisions regarding statement to be recorded.
27. Medical examination of a child.

CHAPTER VII

SPECIAL COURTS

28. Designation of Special Courts.
29. Presumption as to certain offences.
30. Presumption of culpable mental state.
31. Application of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to proceedings before a Special Court.
32. Special Public Prosecutors.

CHAPTER VIII

PROCEDURE AND POWERS OF SPECIAL COURTS AND RECORDING OF EVIDENCE

33. Procedure and powers of Special Court.
34. Procedure in case of commission of offence by child and determination of age by Special Court.
35. Period for recording of evidence of child and disposal of case.
36. Child not to see accused at the time of testifying.
37. Trials to be conducted in camera.
38. Assistance of an interpreter or expert while recording evidence of child.

CHAPTER IX

MISCELLANEOUS

39. Guidelines for child to take assistance of experts, etc.
40. Right of child to take assistance of legal practitioner.
41. Provisions of sections 3 to 13 not to apply in certain cases.
42. Alternative punishment.
42A. Act not in derogation of any other law.
43. Public awareness about Act.
44. Monitoring of implementation of Act.
45. Power to make rules.
46. Power to remove difficulties.

THE SCHEDULE.

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# THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT, 2012

 ACT NO. 32 OF 2012 

[19th June, 2012.]

# An Act to protect children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography
 and provide for establishment of Special Courts for trial of such offences and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

WHEREAS clause (3) of article 15 of the Constitution, inter alia, empowers the State to make special

provisions for children;

AND WHEREAS, the Government of India has acceded on the 11th December, 1992 to the Convention

on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations, which has prescribed
a set of standards to be followed by all State parties in securing the best interests of the child;

AND WHEREAS it is necessary for the proper development of the child that his or her right to privacy

and confidentiality be protected and respected by every person by all means and through all stages of a
judicial process involving the child;

AND WHEREAS it is imperative that the law operates in a manner that the best interest and well being

of the child are regarded as being of paramount importance at every stage, to ensure the healthy physical,
emotional, intellectual and social development of the child;

AND WHEREAS the State parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child are required to

undertake all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent—

_(a)the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity;_

_(b)the exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;_

_(c)the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials;_

AND WHEREAS sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children are heinous crimes and need to be

effectively addressed.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-third Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

**1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Protection of Children**

from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.

_(2) It extends to the whole of India, [1]***._

_(3) It shall come into force on such date[2] as the Central Government may, by notification in the_

Official Gazette, appoint.

**2. Definitions.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, —**

_(a) “aggravated penetrative sexual assault” has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 5;_

_(b) “aggravated sexual assault” has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 9;_

_(c) “armed forces or security forces” means armed forces of the Union or security forces or police_

forces, as specified in the Schedule;

_(d) “child” means any person below the age of eighteen years;_

1. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule

(w.e.f. 31-10-2019).

2. 14th November, 2012, vide notification No. S.O. 2705 (E), dated 9th November, 2012, see Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part

II, sec. 3(ii).

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1[(da) “child pornography” means any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a

child which include photograph, video, digital or computer generated image indistinguishable from an
actual child and image created, adapted, or modified, but appear to depict a child;]

_(e) “domestic relationship” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (f) of section_

2 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (43 of 2005);

_(f) “penetrative sexual assault” has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 3;_

_(g) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;_

_(h) “religious institution” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Religious_

Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988 (41 of 1988).

_(i) “sexual assault” has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 7;_

_(j) “sexual harassment” has the same meaning as assigned to it in section 11;_

_(k) “shared household” means a household where the person charged with the offence lives or has_

lived at any time in a domestic relationship with the child;

_(l) “Special Court” means a court designated as such under section 28;_

_(m) “Special Public Prosecutor” means a Public Prosecutor appointed under section 32._

_(2) The words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Indian Penal Code_

(45 of 1860), the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), [2][the Juvenile Justice (Care and
Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (2 of 2016)] and the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000)
shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the said Codes or the Acts.

CHAPTER II

SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST CHILDREN

A.—PENETRATIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

**3. Penetrative sexual assault.—A person is said to commit “penetrative sexual assault” if—**

(a) he penetrates his penis, to any extent, into the vagina, mouth, urethra or anus of a child or

makes the child to do so with him or any other person; or

(b) he inserts, to any extent, any object or a part of the body, not being the penis, into the vagina,

the urethra or anus of the child or makes the child to do so with him or any other person; or

(c) he manipulates any part of the body of the child so as to cause penetration into the vagina,

urethra, anus or any part of body of the child or makes the child to do so with him or any other
person; or

(d) he applies his mouth to the penis, vagina, anus, urethra of the child or makes the child to do so

to such person or any other person.

**4. Punishment for penetrative sexual assault.—[3][(1)] Whoever commits penetrative sexual assault**

shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than [4][ten
years] but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

[5][(2) Whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child below sixteen years of age shall be

punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend
to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of natural life of that person
and shall also be liable to fine.

(3) The fine imposed under sub-section (1) shall be just and reasonable and paid to the victim to meet

the medical expenses and rehabilitation of such victim.]

1. Ins. by Act 25 of 2019, s. 2 (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 2, ibid., for “the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (56 of 2000)” (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).
3. Section 4 renumbered as section 4(1) thereof by s. 3, ibid (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).
4. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “seven years” (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).
5. Ins. by s. 3, ibid. (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).

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B.—AGGRAVATED PENETRATIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

**5.** **Aggravated penetrative sexual assault.—(a) Whoever, being a police officer, commits**

penetrative sexual assault on a child —

(i) within the limits of the police station or premises at which he is appointed; or

(ii) in the premises of any station house, whether or not situated in the police station, to which he

is appointed; or

(iii) in the course of his duties or otherwise; or

(iv) where he is known as, or identified as, a police officer; or

(b) whoever being a member of the armed forces or security forces commits penetrative sexual assault

on a child—

(i) within the limits of the area to which the person is deployed; or

(ii) in any areas under the command of the forces or armed forces; or

(iii) in the course of his duties or otherwise; or

(iv) where the said person is known or identified as a member of the security or armed forces; or

(c) whoever being a public servant commits penetrative sexual assault on a child; or

(d) whoever being on the management or on the staff of a jail, remand home, protection home,

observation home, or other place of custody or care and protection established by or under any law for the
time being in force, commits penetrative sexual assault on a child, being inmate of such jail, remand
home, protection home, observation home, or other place of custody or care and protection; or

(e) whoever being on the management or staff of a hospital, whether Government or private, commits

penetrative sexual assault on a child in that hospital; or

(f) whoever being on the management or staff of an educational institution or religious institution,

commits penetrative sexual assault on a child in that institution; or

(g) whoever commits gang penetrative sexual assault on a child.

_Explanation.—When a child is subjected to sexual assault by one or more persons of a group in_

furtherance of their common intention, each of such persons shall be deemed to have committed gang
penetrative sexual assault within the meaning of this clause and each of such person shall be liable for that
act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone; or

(h) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child using deadly weapons, fire, heated

substance or corrosive substance; or

(i) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault causing grievous hurt or causing bodily harm and

injury or injury to the sexual organs of the child; or

(j) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child, which—

(i) physically incapacitates the child or causes the child to become mentally ill as defined under

clause (l) of section 2 of the Mental Health Act, 1987 (14 of 1987) or causes impairment of any kind
so as to render the child unable to perform regular tasks, temporarily or permanently; [1]***

(ii) in the case of female child, makes the child pregnant as a consequence of sexual assault;

(iii) inflicts the child with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or any other life threatening disease

or Infection which may either temporarily or permanently impair the child by rendering him
physically incapacitated, or mentally ill to perform regular tasks; [1]***

2[(iv) causes death of the child; or]

1. The word “or” omitted by Act 25 of 2019, s. 4 (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 4, ibid (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).

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(k) whoever, taking advantage of a child's mental or physical disability, commits penetrative sexual

assault on the child; or

(l) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on the child more than once or repeatedly; or

(m) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child below twelve years; or

(n) whoever being a relative of the child through blood or adoption or marriage or guardianship or in

foster care or having a domestic relationship with a parent of the child or who is living in the same or
shared household with the child, commits penetrative sexual assault on such child; or

(o) whoever being, in the ownership, or management, or staff, of any institution providing services to

the child, commits penetrative sexual assault on the child; or

(p) whoever being in a position of trust or authority of a child commits penetrative sexual assault on

the child in an institution or home of the child or anywhere else; or

(q) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child knowing the child is pregnant; or

(r) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child and attempts to murder the child; or

(s) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child in the course of [1][communal or sectarian

violence or during any natural calamity or in similar situations]; or

(t) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child and who has been previously convicted of

having committed any offence under this Act or any sexual offence punishable under any other law for
the time being in force; or

(u) whoever commits penetrative sexual assault on a child and makes the child to strip or parade

naked in public,

is said to commit aggravated penetrative sexual assault.

**2[6. Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault.—(1) Whoever commits aggravated**

penetrative sexual assault shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less
than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the
remainder of natural life of that person and shall also be liable to fine, or with death.

(2) The fine imposed under sub-section (1) shall be just and reasonable and paid to the victim to meet

the medical expenses and rehabilitation of such victim.]

C. —SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

**7. Sexual assault.—Whoever, with sexual intent touches the vagina, penis, anus or breast of the child**

or makes the child touch the vagina, penis, anus or breast of such person or any other person, or does any
other act with sexual intent which involves physical contact without penetration is said to commit sexual
assault.

**8. Punishment for sexual assault.—Whoever, commits sexual assault, shall be punished with**

imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may
extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine.

D. —AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

**9. Aggravated sexual assault.—(a) Whoever, being a police officer, commits sexual assault on a**

child—

(i) within the limits of the police station or premises where he is appointed; or

(ii) in the premises of any station house whether or not situated in the police station to which he is

appointed; or

(iii) in the course of his duties or otherwise; or

1. Subs. by Act 25 of 2019, s. 4, for “communal or sectarian violence” (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 5, ibid., for section 6 (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).

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(iv) where he is known as, or identified as a police officer; or

(b) whoever, being a member of the armed forces or security forces, commits sexual assault on a
child—

(i) within the limits of the area to which the person is deployed; or

(ii) in any areas under the command of the security or armed forces; or

(iii) in the course of his duties or otherwise; or

(iv) where he is known or identified as a member of the security or armed forces; or

(c) whoever being a public servant commits sexual assault on a child; or

(d) whoever being on the management or on the staff of a jail, or remand home or protection home or

observation home, or other place of custody or care and protection established by or under any law for the
time being in force commits sexual assault on a child being inmate of such jail or remand home or
protection home or observation home or other place of custody or care and protection; or

(e) whoever being on the management or staff of a hospital, whether Government or private, commits

sexual assault on a child in that hospital; or

(f) whoever being on the management or staff of an educational institution or religious institution,

commits sexual assault on a child in that institution; or

(g) whoever commits gang sexual assault on a child.

_Explanation.—when a child is subjected to sexual assault by one or more persons of a group in_

furtherance of their common intention, each of such persons shall be deemed to have committed gang
sexual assault within the meaning of this clause and each of such person shall be liable for that act in the
same manner as if it were done by him alone; or

(h) whoever commits sexual assault on a child using deadly weapons, fire, heated substance or

corrosive substance; or

(i) whoever commits sexual assault causing grievous hurt or causing bodily harm and injury or injury

to the sexual organs of the child; or

(j) whoever commits sexual assault on a child, which—

(i) physically incapacitates the child or causes the child to become mentally ill as defined under

clause (l) of section 2of the Mental Health Act, 1987 (14 of 1987) or causes impairment of any kind
so as to render the child unable to perform regular tasks, temporarily or permanently; or

(ii) inflicts the child with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or any other life threatening disease or

infection which may either temporarily or permanently impair the child by rendering him physically
incapacitated, or mentally ill to perform regular tasks; or

(k) whoever, taking advantage of a child’s mental or physical disability, commits sexual assault on the

child; or

(l) whoever commits sexual assault on the child more than once or repeatedly; or

(m) whoever commits sexual assault on a child below twelve years; or
(n) whoever, being a relative of the child through blood or adoption or marriage or guardianship or in

foster care, or having domestic relationship with a parent of the child, or who is living in the same or
shared household with the child, commits sexual assault on such child; or

(o) whoever, being in the ownership or management or staff, of any institution providing services to

the child, commits sexual assault on the child in such institution; or

(p) whoever, being in a position of trust or authority of a child, commits sexual assault on the child in

an institution or home of the child or anywhere else; or

(q) whoever commits sexual assault on a child knowing the child is pregnant; or

(r) whoever commits sexual assault on a child and attempts to murder the child; or

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(s) whoever commits sexual assault on a child in the course of [1][ communal or sectarian violence or

during any natural calamity or in any similar situations]; or

(t) whoever commits sexual assault on a child and who has been previously convicted of having

committed any offence under this Act or any sexual offence punishable under any other law for the time
being in force; or

(u) whoever commits sexual assault on a child and makes the child to strip or parade naked in public;

2[(v) whoever persuades, induces, entices or coerces a child to get administered or administers or

direct anyone to administer, help in getting administered any drug or hormone or any chemical substance,
to a child with the intent that such child attains early sexual maturity,]

is said to commit aggravated sexual assault.

**10. Punishment for aggravated sexual assault.—Whoever, commits aggravated sexual assault shall**

be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than five years but
which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

E.—SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

**11. Sexual harassment.—A person is said to commit sexual harassment upon a child when such**

person with sexual intent,—

(i) utters any word or makes any sound, or makes any gesture or exhibits any object or part of

body with the intention that such word or sound shall be heard, or such gesture or object or part of
body shall be seen by the child; or

(ii) makes a child exhibit his body or any part of his body so as it is seen by such person or any

other person; or

(iii) shows any object to a child in any form or media for pornographic purposes; or

(iv) repeatedly or constantly follows or watches or contacts a child either directly or through

electronic, digital or any other means; or

(v) threatens to use, in any form of media, a real or fabricated depiction through electronic, film

or digital or any other mode, of any part of the body of the child or the involvement of the child in a
sexual act; or

(vi) entices a child for pornographic purposes or gives gratification therefor.

_Explanation.—Any question which involves “sexual intent” shall be a question of fact._

**12. Punishment for sexual harassment.—Whoever, commits sexual harassment upon a child shall**

be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall
also be liable to fine.

CHAPTER III

USING CHILD FOR PORNOGRAPHIC PURPOSES AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

**13. Use of child for pornographic purposes.—Whoever, uses a child in any form of media**

(including programme or advertisement telecast by television channels or internet or any other electronic
form or printed form, whether or not such programme or advertisement is intended for personal use or for
distribution), for the purposes of sexual gratification, which includes—

(a) representation of the sexual organs of a child;

(b) usage of a child engaged in real or simulated sexual acts (with or without penetration);

(c) the indecent or obscene representation of a child,

shall be guilty of the offence of using a child for pornographic purposes.

1. Subs. by Act 25 of 2019, s. 6, for “communal or sectarian violence” (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).
2. Ins. by s. 6, ibid. (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).

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_Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression ‘‘use a child’’ shall include involving a_

child through any medium like print, electronic, computer or any other technology for preparation,
production, offering, transmitting, publishing, facilitation and distribution of the pornographic material.

1[14. Punishment for using child for pornographic purposes.—(1) Whoever uses a child or

children for pornographic purposes shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be
less than five years and shall also be liable to fine and in the event of second or subsequent conviction
with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years and also be liable to fine.

(2) Whoever using a child or children for pornographic purposes under sub-section (1), commits an

offence referred to in section 3 or section 5 or section 7 or section 9 by directly participating in such
pornographic acts, shall be punished for the said offences also under section 4, section 6, section 8 and
section 10, respectively, in addition to the punishment provided in sub-section (1).]

**2[15. Punishment for storage of pornographic material involving child.—(1) Any person, who**

stores or possesses pornographic material in any form involving a child, but fails to delete or destroy or
report the same to the designated authority, as may be prescribed, with an intention to share or transmit
child pornography, shall be liable to fine not less than five thousand rupees and in the event of second or
subsequent offence, with fine which shall not be less than ten thousand rupees.

(2) Any person, who stores or possesses pornographic material in any form involving a child for

transmitting or propagating or displaying or distributing in any manner at any time except for the purpose
of reporting, as may be prescribed, or for use as evidence in court, shall be punished with imprisonment
of either description which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both.

(3) Any person, who stores or possesses pornographic material in any form involving a child for

commercial purpose shall be punished on the first conviction with imprisonment of either description
which shall not be less than three years which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both and in
the event of second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description which shall not be
less than five years which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.]

CHAPTER IV

ABETMENT OF AND ATTEMPT TO COMMIT AN OFFENCE

**16. Abetment of an offence.—A person abets an offence, who—**

_First.—Instigates any person to do that offence; or_

_Secondly.— Engages with one or more other person or persons in any conspiracy for the doing of_

that offence, if an act or illegal omission takes place in pursuance of that conspiracy, and in order to
the doing of that offence; or

_Thirdly.—Intentionally aids, by any act or illegal omission, the doing of that offence._

_Explanation I.—A person who, by wilful misrepresentation, or by wilful concealment of a material_

fact, which he is bound to disclose, voluntarily causes or procures, or attempts to cause or procure a thing
to be done, is said to instigate the doing of that offence.

_Explanation II.—Whoever, either prior to or at the time of commission of an act, does anything in_

order to facilitate the commission of that act, and thereby facilitates the commission thereof, is said to aid
the doing of that act.

_Explanation III.—Whoever employ, harbours, receives or transports a child, by means of threat or use_

of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of a position,
vulnerability or the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having
control over another person, for the purpose of any offence under this Act, is said to aid the doing of that
act.

1. Subs. by Act 25 of 2019, s. 7, for section 14 (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).
2. Subs. by s. 8, ibid., for section 15 (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).

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**17. Punishment for abetment.—Whoever abets any offence under this Act, if the act abetted is**

committed in consequence of the abetment, shall be punished with punishment provided for that offence.

_Explanation.— An act or offence is said to be committed in consequence of abetment, when it is_

committed in consequence of the instigation, or in pursuance of the conspiracy or with the aid, which
constitutes the abetment.

**18. Punishment for attempt to commit an offence.—Whoever attempts to commit any offence**

punishable under this Act or to cause such an offence to be committed, and in such attempt, does any act
towards the commission of the offence, shall be punished with imprisonment of any description provided
for the offence, for a term which may extend to one half of the imprisonment for life or, as the case may
be, one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence or with fineor with both.

CHAPTER V

PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING OF CASES

**19. Reporting of offences.—(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal**

Procedure, 1973 (2 of1974)any person(including the child), who has apprehension that an offence under
this Act is likely to be committed or has knowledge that such an offence has been committed, he shall
provide such information to,—

(a) the Special Juvenile Police Unit; or

(b) the local police.

(2) Every report given under sub-section (1) shall be—

(a) ascribed an entry number and recorded in writing;

(b) be read over to the informant;

(c) shall be entered in a book to be kept by the Police Unit.

(3) Where the report under sub-section (1) is given by a child, the same shall be recorded under

sub-section (2) in a simple language so that the child understands contents being recorded.

(4) In case contents are being recorded in the language not understood by the child or wherever it is

deemed necessary, a translator or an interpreter, having such qualifications, experience and on payment of
such fees as may be prescribed, shall be provided to the child if he fails to understand the same.

(5) Where the Special Juvenile Police Unit or local police is satisfied that the child against whom an

offence has been committed is in need of care and protection, then, it shall, after recording the reasons in
writing, make immediate arrangement to give him such care and protection including admitting the child
into shelter home or to the nearest hospital within twenty-four hours of the report, as may be prescribed.

(6) The Special Juvenile Police Unit or local police shall, without unnecessary delay but within a

period of twenty-four hours, report the matter to the Child Welfare Committee and the Special Court or
where no Special Court has been designated, to the Court of Session, including need of the child for care
and protection and steps taken in this regard.

(7) No person shall incur any liability, whether civil or criminal, for giving the information in good

faith for the purpose of sub-section (1).

**20. Obligation of media, studio and photographic facilities to report cases.—Any personnel of the**

media or hotel or lodge or hospital or club or studio or photographic facilities, by whatever name called,
irrespective of the number of persons employed therein, shall, on coming across any material or object
which is sexually exploitative of the child (including pornographic, sexually-related or making obscene
representation of a child or children) through the use of any medium, shall provide such information to
the Special Juvenile Police Unit, or to the local police, as the case may be.

**21. Punishment for failure to report or record a case.—(1) Any person, who fails to report the**

commission of an offence under sub-section (1) of section 19 or section 20 or who fails to record such

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offence under sub-section (2) of section 19 shall be punished with imprisonment of either description
which may extend to six months or with fine or with both.

(2) Any person, being in-charge of any company or an institution (by whatever name called) who fails

to report the commission of an offence under sub-section (1) of section 19 in respect of a subordinate
under his control, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and with
fine.

(3) The provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply to a child under this Act.

**22. Punishment for false complaint or false information.—(1) Any person, who makes false**

complaint or provides false information against any person, in respect of an offence committed under
sections 3, 5, 7 and section 9, solely with the intention to humiliate, extort or threaten or defame him,
shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with fine or with both.

(2) Where a false complaint has been made or false information has been provided by a child, no

punishment shall be imposed on such child.

(3) Whoever, not being a child, makes a false complaint or provides false information against a child,

knowing it to be false, thereby victimizing such child in any of the offences under this Act, shall be
punished with imprisonment, which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.

**23. Procedure for media.—(1) No person shall make any report or present comments on any child**

from any form of media or studio or photographic facilities without having complete and authentic
information, which may have the effect of lowering his reputation or infringing upon his privacy.

(2) No reports in any media shall disclose, the identity of a child including his name, address,

photograph, family details, school, neighbourhood or any other particulars which may lead to disclosure
of identity of the child:

Provided that for reasons to be recorded in writing, the Special Court, competent to try the case under

the Act, may permit such disclosure, if in its opinion such disclosure is in the interest of the child.

(3) The publisher or owner of the media or studio or photographic facilities shall be jointly and

severally liable for the acts and omissions of his employee.

(4) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be liable to

be punished with imprisonment of either description for a period which shall not be less than six months
but which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.

CHAPTER VI

PROCEDURES FOR RECORDING STATEMENT OF THE CHILD

**24. Recording of statement of a child.—(1) The statement of the child shall be recorded at the**

residence of the child or at a place where he usually resides or at the place of his choice and as far as
practicable by a woman police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector.

(2) The police officer while recording the statement of the child shall not be in uniform.

(3) The police officer making the investigation, shall, while examining the child, ensure that at no

point of time the child come in the contact in any way with the accused.

(4) No child shall be detained in the police station in the night for any reason.

(5) The police officer shall ensure that the identity of the child is protected from the public media,

unless otherwise directed by the Special Court in the interest of the child.

**25. Recording of statement of a child by Magistrate.—(1) If the statement of the child is being**

recorded under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)(herein referred to as the
Code), the Magistrate recording such statement shall, notwithstanding anything contained therein, record
the statement as spoken by the child:

Provided that the provisions contained in the first proviso to sub-section (1) of section 164 of the

Code shall, so far it permits the presence of the advocate of the accused shall not apply in this case.

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(2) The Magistrate shall provide to the child and his parents or his representative, a copy of the

document specified under section 207 of the Code, upon the final report being filed by the police under
section 173 of that Code.

**26. Additional provisions regarding statement to be recorded.—(1) The Magistrate or the police**

officer, as the case may be, shall record the statement as spoken by the child in the presence of the parents
of the child or any other person in whom the child has trust or confidence.

(2) Wherever necessary, the Magistrate or the police officer, as the case may be, may take the

assistance of a translator or an interpreter, having such qualifications, experience and on payment of such
fees as may be prescribed, while recording the statement of the child.

(3) The Magistrate or the police officer, as the case may be, may, in the case of a child having a

mental or physical disability, seek the assistance of a special educator or any person familiar with the
manner of communication of the child or an expert in that field, having such qualifications, experience
and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed, to record the statement of the child.

(4) Wherever possible, the Magistrate or the police officer, as the case may be, shall ensure that the

statement of the child is also recorded by audio-video electronic means.

**27. Medical examination of a child.—(1) The medical examination of a child in respect of whom**

any offence has been committed under this Act, shall, notwithstanding that a First Information Report or
complaint has not been registered for the offences under this Act, be conducted in accordance with
section 164A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1973).

(2) In case the victim is a girl child, the medical examination shall be conducted by a woman doctor.

(3) The medical examination shall be conducted in the presence of the parent of the child or any other

person in whom the child reposes trust or confidence.

(4) Where, in case the parent of the child or other person referred to in sub-section (3) cannot be

present, for any reason, during the medical examination of the child, the medical examination shall be
conducted in the presence of a woman nominated by the head of the medical institution.

CHAPTER VII

SPECIAL COURTS

**28. Designation of Special Courts.—(1) For the purposes of providing a speedy trial, the State**

Government shall in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification in the Official
Gazette, designate for each district, a Court of Session to be a Special Court to try the offences under the
Act:

Provided that if a Court of Session is notified as a children’s court under the Commissions for

Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 (4 of 2006)or a Special Court designated for similar purposes under
any other law for the time being in force, then, such court shall be deemed to be a Special Court under
this section.

(2) While trying an offence under this Act, a Special Court shall also try an offence [other than the

offence referred to in sub-section (1)], with which the accused may, under the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) be charged at the same trial.

(3) The Special Court constituted under this Act, notwithstanding anything in the Information

Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000)shall have jurisdiction to try offences under section 67B of that Act in
so far as it relates to publication or transmission of sexually explicit material depicting children in any act,
or conduct or manner or facilitates abuse of children online.

**29. Presumption as to certain offences.—Where a person is prosecuted for committing or abetting**

or attempting to commit any offence under sections 3, 5, 7 and section 9 of this Act, the Special Court
shall presume, that such person has committed or abetted or attempted to commit the offence, as the case
may be unless the contrary is proved.

**30. Presumption of culpable mental state.—(1) In any prosecution for any offence under this Act**

which requires a culpable mental state on the part of the accused, the Special Court shall presume the

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existence of such mental state but it shall be a defence for the accused to prove the fact that he had no
such mental state with respect to the act charged as an offence in that prosecution.

(2) For the purposes of this section, a fact is said to be proved only when the Special Court believes it

to exist beyond reasonable doubt and not merely when its existence is established by a preponderance of
probability.

_Explanation.—In this section, “culpable mental state” includes intention, motive, knowledge of a fact_

and the belief in, or reason to believe, a fact.

**31. Application of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to proceedings before a Special Court.—**

Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
(2 of 1974)(including the provisions as to bail and bonds)shall apply to the proceedings before a Special
Court and for the purposes of the said provisions, the Special Court shall be deemed to be a court of
Sessions and the person conducting a prosecution before a Special Court, shall be deemed to be a Public
Prosecutor.

**32. Special Public Prosecutors.—(1) The State Government shall, by notification in the Official**

Gazette, appoint a Special Public Prosecutor for every Special Court for conducting cases only under the
provisions of this Act.

(2) A person shall be eligible to be appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor under sub-section (1)

only if he had been in practice for not less than seven years as an advocate.

(3) Every person appointed as a Special Public Prosecutor under this section shall be deemed to be a

Public Prosecutor within the meaning of clause (u) of section 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
(2 of 1974)and provision of that Code shall have effect accordingly.

CHAPTER VIII

PROCEDURE AND POWERS OF SPECIAL COURTS AND RECORDING OF EVIDENCE

**33. Procedure and powers of Special Court.—(1) A Special Court may take cognizance of any**

offence, without the accused being committed to it for trial, upon receiving a complaint of facts which
constitute such offence, or upon a police report of such facts.

(2) The Special Public Prosecutor, or as the case may be, the counsel appearing for the accused shall,

while recording the examination-in-chief, cross-examination or re-examination of the child, communicate
the questions to be put to the child to the Special Court which shall in turn put those questions to the
child.

(3) The Special Court may, if it considers necessary, permit frequent breaks for the child during the

trial.

(4) The Special Court shall create a child-friendly atmosphere by allowing a family member, a

guardian, a friend or a relative, in whom the child has trust or confidence, to be present in the court.

(5) The Special Court shall ensure that the child is not called repeatedly to testify in the court.

(6) The Special Court shall not permit aggressive questioning or character assassination of the child

and ensure that dignity of the child is maintained at all times during the trial.

(7) The Special Court shall ensure that the identity of the child is not disclosed at any time during the

course of investigation or trial:

Provided that for reasons to be recorded in writing, the Special Court may permit such disclosure, if

in its opinion such disclosure is in the interest of the child.

_Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, the identity of the child shall include the identity_

of the child's family, school, relatives, neighbourhood or any other information by which the identity of
the child may be revealed.

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(8) In appropriate cases, the Special Court may, in addition to the punishment, direct payment of such

compensation as may be prescribed to the child for any physical or mental trauma caused to him or for
immediate rehabilitation of such child.

(9) Subject to the provisions of this Act, a Special Court shall, for the purpose of the trial of any

offence under this Act, have all the powers of a Court of Session and shall try such offence as if it were a
Court of Session, and as far as may be, in accordance with the procedure specified in the Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) for trial before a Court of Session.

**34. Procedure in case of commission of offence by child and determination of age by Special**

**Court.—(1) Where any offence under this Act is committed by a child, such child shall be dealt with**
under the provisions of [1][the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (2 of 2016)].

(2) If any question arises in any proceeding before the Special Court whether a person is a child or

not, such question shall be determined by the Special Court after satisfying itself about the age of such
person and it shall record in writing its reasons for such determination.

(3) No order made by the Special Court shall be deemed to be invalid merely by any subsequent proof

that the age of a personas determined by it under sub-section (2) was not the correct age of that person.

**35. Period for recording of evidence of child and disposal of case.—(1) The evidence of the child**

shall be recorded within a period of thirty days of the Special Court taking cognizance of the offence and
reasons for delay, if any, shall be recorded by the Special Court.

(2) The Special Court shall complete the trial, as far as possible, within a period of one year from the

date of taking cognizance of the offence.

**36. Child not to see accused at the time of testifying.—(1) The Special Court shall ensure that the**

child is not exposed in anyway to the accused at the time of recording of the evidence, while at the same
time ensuring that the accused is in a position to hear the statement of the child and communicate with his
advocate.

(2) For the purposes of sub-section (1), the Special Court may record the statement of a child through

video conferencing or by utilising single visibility mirrors or curtains or any other device.

**37. Trials to be conducted** **_in camera.—The Special Court shall try cases_** _in camera_ and in the

presence of the parents of the child or any other person in whom the child has trust or confidence:

Provided that where the Special Court is of the opinion that the child needs to be examined at a place

other than the court, it shall proceed to issue a commission in accordance with the provisions of section
284 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).

**38. Assistance of an interpreter or expert while recording evidence of child.—(1) wherever**

necessary, the Court may take the assistance of a translator or interpreter having such qualifications,
experience and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed, while recording the evidence of the child.

(2) If a child has a mental or physical disability, the Special Court may take the assistance of a special

educator or any person familiar with the manner of communication of the child or an expert in that field,
having such qualifications, experience and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed to record the
evidence of the child.

CHAPTER IX

MISCELLANEOUS

**39. Guidelines for child to take assistance of experts, etc.—Subject to such rules as may be made**

in this behalf, the State Government shall prepare guidelines for use of non-governmental organisations,
professionals and experts or persons having knowledge of psychology, social work, physical health,
mental health and child development to be associated with the pre-trial and trial stage to assist the child.

1. Subs. by Act 25 of 2019, s. 9, for “the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 (56 of 2000)” (w.e.f. 1608-2019).

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**40. Right of child to take assistance of legal practitioner.—Subject to the proviso to section 301 of**

the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974)the family or the guardian of the child shall be entitled
to the assistance of a legal counsel of their choice for any offence under this Act:

Provided that if the family or the guardian of the child are unable to afford a legal counsel, the Legal

Services Authority shall provide a lawyer to them.

**41.Provisions of sections 3 to 13 not to apply in certain cases.—The provisions of sections 3 to 13**

(both inclusive) shall not apply in case of medical examination or medical treatment of a child when such
medical examination or medical treatment is undertaken with the consent of his parents or guardian.

**1[42. Alternate punishment.—Where an act or omission constitutes an offence punishable under this**

Act and also under sections 166A, 354A, 354B, 354C, 354D, 370, 370A, 375, 376, [2][376A, 376AB,
376B, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376DB], [3][376E, section 509 of the Indian Penal Code or section 67B of the
Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000)], then, notwithstanding anything contained in any law for
the time being in force, the offender found guilty of such offence shall be liable to punishment only under
this Act or under the Indian Penal Code as provides for punishment which is greater in degree.

STATE AMENDMENT

**Arunachal Pradesh**

**Amendment of section 42.—In section 42 of the Protection of Children Act, 2012 for the words**

figures and letters sections 166A, 354A, 354B, 354C, 354D, 370, 370A, 375, 376, 376A, 376C, 376D,
376E or section 509 of the Indian Penal Code the words figures and letters sections 166A 354A, 354B,
354C, 354D, 370, 370A, 375, 376, 376A, 376AA, 376C, 376D, 376DA, 376E or section 509 of the Indian
Penal Code shall be substituted.

[Vide Arunachal Pradesh Act 3 of 2019, s. 26]

**42A. Act not in derogation of any other law.—The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to and**

not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force and, in case of any
inconsistency, the provisions of this Act shall have overriding effect on the provisions of any such law to
the extent of the inconsistency.]

**43. Public awareness about Act.—The Central Government and every State Government, shall take**

all measures to ensure that—

(a) the provisions of this Act are given wide publicity through media including the television,

radio and the print media at regular intervals to make the general public, children as well as their
parents and guardians aware of the provisions of this Act;

(b) the officers of the Central Government and the State Governments and other concerned

persons (including the police officers) are imparted periodic training on the matters relating to the
implementation of the provisions of the Act.

**44. Monitoring of implementation of Act.—(1) The National Commission for Protection of Child**

Rights constituted under section 3, or as the case may be, the State Commission for Protection of Child
Rights constituted under section 17, of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005
(4 of 2006) shall, in addition to the functions assigned to them under that Act, also monitor the
implementation of the provisions of this Act in such manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The National Commission or, as the case may be, the State Commission, referred to in sub-section

(1), shall, while inquiring into any matter relating to any offence under this Act, have the same powers as
are vested in it under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 (4 of 2006).

(3) The National Commission or, as the case may be, the State Commission, referred to in sub-section

(1), shall, also include, its activities under this section, in the annual report referred to in section 16 of the
Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 (4 of 2006).

1. Subs. by Act 13 of 2013, s. 29, for s. 42 (w.e.f. 3-2-2013).

2. Subs. by Act 22 of 2018, s. 25, for “376A, 376C, 376D” (w.e.f. 21-4-2018).
3. Subs. by Act 25 of 2019, s. 10, for “376E or section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)” (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).

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**45. Power to make rules.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,**

make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, such rules may

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

1[(a) the manner of deleting or destroying or reporting about pornographic material in any form

involving a child to the designated authority under sub-section (1) of section 15;

(aa) the manner of reporting about pornographic material in any form involving a child under

sub-section (2) of section 15;]

[2][(ab)] the qualifications and experience of, and the fees payable to, a translator or an interpreter,

a special educator or any person familiar with the manner of communication of the child or an expert
in that field, under sub-section (4) of section 19; sub-sections(2) and (3) of section 26 and section 38;

(b) care and protection and emergency medical treatment of the child under sub-section (5) of

section 19;

(c) the payment of compensation under sub-section (8) of section 33;

(d) the manner of periodic monitoring of the provisions of the Act under sub-section (1) of

section44.

(3) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each

House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in
one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately
following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification
in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only
in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or
annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

**46. Power to remove difficulties.—(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of**

this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for
removal of the difficulty:

Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of the period of two years

from the commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each

House of Parliament.

1. Ins. by Act 25 of 2019, s. 11 (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).

2. Clause (a) re-lettered as clause (ab) thereof by Act 25 of 2019, s. 11 (w.e.f. 16-08-2019).

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THE SCHEDULE

[See section 2(c)]

ARMED FORCES AND SECURITY FORCES CONSTITUTED UNDER

(a) The Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of 1950);

(b) The Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950);

(c) The Assam Rifles Act, 2006 (47 of 2006);

(d) The Bombay Home Guard Act, 1947 (3 of 1947);

(e) The Border Security Force Act, 1968 (47 of 1968);

(f) The Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968 (50 of 1968);

(g) The Central Reserve Police Force Act, 1949 (66 of 1949);

(h) The Coast Guard Act, 1978 (30 of 1978);

(i) The Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (25 of 1946);

(j) The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force Act, 1992 (35 of 1992);

(k) The Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957);

(l) The National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008);

(m) The National Security Guard Act, 1986 (47 of 1986);

(n) The Railway Protection Force Act, 1957 (23 of 1957);

(o) The Sashastra Seema Bal Act, 2007 (53 of 2007);

(p) The Special Protection Group Act, 1988 (34 of 1988);

(q) The Territorial Army Act, 1948 (56 of 1948);

(r) The State police forces (including armed constabulary) constituted under the State laws to aid the

civil powers of the State and empowered to employ force during internal disturbances or otherwise
including armed forces as defined in clause (a) of section 2 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act,
1958 (28 of 1958).

____________

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