Offence of sexually assaulting a minor can be alleged even against a woman, rules Karnataka High Court

Declaring that the offence of penetrative sexual assault can be alleged even against a woman under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, as this law is gender-neutral, the High Court of Karnataka on Monday refused to quash a criminal case against a 52-year-old woman, who allegedly compelled a 13-year-old boy for sex with her at her residence here during 2020.