POCSO Act Section 6 — Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault

Summary

Sub-section (1) states that a person who commits aggravated penetrative sexual assault will be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term of at least twenty years, which may extend to imprisonment for life, meaning imprisonment for the rest of that person's natural life. The person shall also be liable to pay a fine, or may be punished with the death penalty.

Sub-section (2) states that any fine imposed under sub-section (1) must be just and reasonable, and must be paid to the victim to cover the victim's medical expenses and rehabilitation.

Official Text

(1) Whoever commits aggravated penetrative sexual assault shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of natural life of that person and shall also be liable to fine, or with death.

(2) The fine imposed under sub-section (1) shall be just and reasonable and paid to the victim to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of such victim. C. —SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PUNISHMENT THEREFOR

Referred to by

• POCSO Act §14 — Punishment for using child for pornographic purposes
• POCSO Act §41 — Provisions of sections 3 to 13 not to apply in certain cases

Related Judgments

• SAMBHUBHAI RAISANGBHAI PADHIYAR vs STATE OF GUJARAT — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• STATE OF U.P vs SONU KUSHWAHA — Supreme Court of India (2023)
• MS. EERA THROUGH DR. MANJULA KRIPPENDORF vs STATE (GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI) & ANR — Supreme Court of India (2017)
• ALAKH ALOK SRIVASTAVA vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2018)
• SACHIN vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA — Supreme Court of India (2025)