Section 6 POCSO Act
What punishment does the law impose for aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child?
Short answer
The offender is sentenced to rigorous imprisonment of at least ten years, which may go up to life, and also must pay a fine.
In detail
Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, aggravated penetrative sexual assault is treated as a very serious crime. The law requires that anyone found guilty of this offence must be sent to prison for a strict term that cannot be shorter than ten years. The court also has the power to keep the person in prison for the rest of their life if it deems the case warrants such a severe penalty. In addition to the prison term, the convicted person must also pay a monetary fine, the amount of which is decided by the court. These strict penalties are meant to protect children by deterring such grave offences and ensuring that offenders face strong consequences for their actions.
Related questions
What actions count as penetrative sexual assault under the POCSO Act?
Any act where an adult causes penetration of a child's genital, anal or oral area with a penis, object, body part, or forces the child to do so.
What punishment does the law prescribe for penetrative sexual assault on a child?
The offender can be jailed for at least seven years, up to life, and must also pay a fine.
What punishment does a person face for committing sexual assault on a child?
They can be sentenced to three to five years in prison and may also have to pay a fine.
When does a sexual assault on a child become an aggravated offence?
It is aggravated when the offender is a police officer, armed forces member, public servant, staff of a care or educational institution, a relative, or when the act involves a gang, weapons, serious injury, pregnancy, disease, disability, repeat attacks, or a child under twelve.
Not legal advice. This is general legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts — speak to a lawyer about your situation.