Courtroom Chronicles

SUPREME COURT ON MANDATORY REPORTING UNDER THE POCSO ACT 

The Supreme Court held that school authorities receiving credible information about child sexual abuse cannot suppress the complaint or conduct private inquiries instead of reporting the offence. The judgment strengthens mandatory reporting obligations under the POCSO Act and clarifies the scope of discharge proceedings.

SUPREME COURT DECLARES RIGHT TO WALK A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT 

The Supreme Court held that the Right to Walk, including access to safe and demarcated footpaths, is a Fundamental Right under the Constitution. The Court imposed corresponding duties on local authorities to provide pedestrian infrastructure and awarded enhanced compensation to the family of a child killed in a road accident.