Evidentiary Standards for DNA Chain of Custody and Sentencing Discretion Under the POCSO Act

sketch of the Bombay High Court
Case
PUNDLIK @ BANDU S/O DAULAT ZALAKE v. STATE OF MAH. THR. PSO LAKHANI TAH.LAKHANI DIST.BHANDARA (Bombay High Court, 08-10-2026)
Law
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, Registration of Births and Deaths Act, Code of Criminal Procedure.

Highlights of the Judgment:

  • Detailed examination of the chain of custody for DNA evidence in criminal trials under established forensic guidelines.
  • Admissibility and evidentiary value of birth certificates as public documents under Section 35 of the Indian Evidence Act.
  • Judicial interpretation of delay in lodging First Information Reports in sexual offense cases involving minor victims.
  • Application of the doctrine of proportionality in sentencing under Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
  • Distinction between natural life imprisonment and fixed-term imprisonment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault.