POCSO Act overrides personal law of having four wives: Court

Makes the remark while convicting a man for impregnating minor on the promise of marriage; he was already married

In a significant ruling, a special POCSO court awarded ten years of imprisonment to a 31year-old man, who sexually exploited a minor on the promise of marriage. The court rejected the convict's argument that his religion permits him to have four wives and to marry a 15-year-old girl.

Brushing aside the argument, special judge Chhaya V Patil pointed out that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has an overriding effect on all the personal laws and customs.

Notably, the girl specified that the convict hid the fact that he was married and even had kids.