HC quashes case under POCSO against principal, teacher

The Kerala High Court has ruled in favor of a school principal and teacher in Kochi who were charged under the POCSO Act for not reporting a student’s complaint of sexual offense to the police on the same day. The court stated that as long as the crime is reported to the police within 24 hours, it does not constitute a failure to report. The petitioners were informed of the crime on November 17, 2022, and they informed the police the next day. The court found that there was no willful omission on their part and dismissed the case against them. This decision highlights the importance of timely reporting of crimes, but also takes into account practical considerations.