'Skin-to-skin' contact not needed to define sexual assault under POCSO Act: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court in its judgement on Thursday set aside a Bombay High Court verdict, which had held that "skin-to-skin contact is essential for POCSO offences".

"Giving narrow meaning of physical contact to confine it to 'skin-to-skin contact' will defeat the purpose of POCSO Act and it cannot be accepted, said the court and convicted two accused to various jail terms who had inappropriately touched a minor girl.

A bench headed by Justice Uday Umesh Lalit passed the judgement: "Skin-to-skin contact is not essential for POCSO offence as held by the Bombay High Court" and disposed of an appeal filed. (UNI)