Home / India / Child sexual offences (POCSO)
Child sexual offences (POCSO)Possibly — unconfirmed
Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.
Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed
§ 4 — penetrative sexual assaultPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 10 years–life
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
Minimum 10 years.
§ 4 — penetrative sexual assault on a child below 16 yearsPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 20 years–life
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
Minimum 20 years; life means remainder of natural life.
§ 6 — aggravated penetrative sexual assaultPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 20 years–life or death
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
Minimum 20 years rigorous imprisonment.
§ 8 — sexual assault (non-penetrative)Possibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 3–5 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
Minimum 3 years.
§ 10 — aggravated sexual assaultPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 5–7 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
Minimum 5 years.
§ 12 — sexual harassment of a childPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 3 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
§ 14(1) — use of a child for pornographic purposes, first convictionPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Minimum 5 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
Upper bound as stated in the Act not separately verified; see penaltyNote.
§ 14(1) — use of a child for pornographic purposes, subsequent convictionPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- Minimum 7 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
§ 15 — storage of child pornographic material for commercial purposesPossibly — unconfirmed
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 3 years
- Fine
- Fine (amount not stated in section)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
Figure reported from secondary summaries; re-check against the Act.
POCSO § 4(1) fine is intended to meet the victim's medical and rehabilitation expenses. § 14(1) subsequent-conviction tier: minimum 7 years (upper bound as stated in the Act).