By way of background, a man was facing charges under several criminal laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act), the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
He sought a certified copy of the victim’s statement recorded under Section 164 (recording of confessions and statements) of the CrPC.
In response, the Fast Track Special Court (POCSO), Thrissur, passed an order directing the accused man’s lawyer to submit an affidavit stating that the requested copy of the victim’s statement would not be misused.
This directive was challenged before the High Court by the accused man (petitioner).
Source: Barandbench