The Delhi High Court recently denied anticipatory bail to an individual accused of the alleged rape of a minor, a case lodged under the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma dismissed the application, citing the accused's failure to cooperate with the ongoing investigation despite prior rejections or withdrawals of his bail pleas. The court explicitly rejected the defense's argument that a consensual relationship was plausible due to a friendship between the accused and the minor complainant, stating that "friendship does not give any licence to rape repeatedly." The court noted that the complainant's statement prima facie disclosed allegations of repeated sexual assault, confinement, and physical violence. The minor reportedly became acquainted with the accused on Instagram, and the alleged incidents took place at a friend's residence. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed 11 days subsequent to the alleged events, with the court acknowledging the victim's initial apprehension.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-hc-anticipatory-bail-man-accused-rape-minor-10323181/