Goa, July 1 -- Panaji Special POCSO Court rules that a minor's consent has no legal validity, convicts accused of statutory rape.

The Special POCSO Court in Panaji has sentenced a Bihar native to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a minor girl.

The convicted accused, identified as Mohammed Jhunnu, was held guilty under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. While delivering the verdict, the court reaffirmed that a minor's consent has no legal validity and cannot be used as a defence in cases involving sexual offences against children.

The court observed that any sexual act involving a minor amounts to statutory rape under the provisions of the POCSO Act, irrespective ...