Punishment for abetment
Section 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 deals with punishment for abetment. Whoever abets any offence under this Act, if the act abetted is committed in consequence of the abetment, shall be punished with punishment provided for that offence. The Act came into force on 14 Nov 2012.
Whoever abets any offence under this Act, if the act abetted is committed in consequence of the abetment, shall be punished with punishment provided for that offence.
Explanation.-- An act or offence is said to be committed in consequence of abetment, when it is committed in consequence of the instigation, or in pursuance of the conspiracy or with the aid, which constitutes the abetment.
Section 17, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (Act 32 of 2012).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Referred to by 1
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
-
State of Assam vs Faruk Ahmed
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
In prosecutions for child marriage and sexual assault of minors under the POCSO Act and Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the prosecution bears the burden of establishing the victim's age at the time of marriage through reliable documentary evidence such as birth certificates and marriage documents. Oral evidence alone, without corroborating documentary proof, is insufficient to establish that a marriage was a child marriage or that sexual assault occurred on a minor. The absence of such documentary evidence, despite the prosecution's duty to produce it, results in acquittal as the charges cannot be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
On this section: Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault - Cited as part of the charge but not separately analyzed as the primary issue was establishing the victim's minor status.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 17
What have the courts held on Section 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act?
State of Assam vs Faruk Ahmed (21 Jul 2026) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault - Cited as part of the charge but not separately analyzed as the primary issue was establishing the victim's minor status.
How do I find court cases under Section 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Pocso Act 17, section 17 Pocso Act, section 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with State of Assam vs Faruk Ahmed (21 Jul 2026).
What should I read with Section 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, and has it changed?
1 other provision in this corpus refers back to it.
When did Section 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act come into force?
Section 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, cited as Pocso Act 17, came into force on 14 Nov 2012, having been enacted on 19 Jun 2012. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 9. Aggravated sexual assault813 words
- 5. Aggravated penetrative sexual assault811 words
- 33. Procedure and powers of Special Court395 words
- 2. Definitions340 words
- 19. Reporting of offences338 words
- 45. Power to make rules323 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.