Library/POCSO/Section 7
Section 7PopularNon-BailableSubstantive

Sexual assault

Full Text

Whoever, with sexual intent touches the vagina, penis, anus or breast of the child or makes the child touch the vagina, penis, anus or breast of such person or any other person, or does any other act with sexual intent which involves physical contact without penetration is said to commit sexual assault.

Plain English Summary

Defines non-penetrative sexual assault as touching or causing a child to touch private parts or engaging in physical contact with sexual intent.

Key Legal Elements

  • Touching vagina, penis, anus, or breast of a child or making child touch such parts
  • Presence of sexual intent
  • Involves physical contact without penetration

Punishment

Punishable under Section 8 (3 to 5 years + Fine)

Practical Note

The Supreme Court in Attorney General for India v. Satish (2021) firmly overruled the "skin-to-skin" contact theory, holding that touching the sexual parts of a child even with clothes on constitutes sexual assault under Section 7 if done with sexual intent.

हिंदी पाठ

जो कोई लैंगिक आशय से बालक की योनि, लिंग, गुदा या स्तन को स्पर्श करता है या बालक से अपने अथवा किसी अन्य व्यक्ति की योनि, लिंग, गुदा या स्तन को स्पर्श करवाता है, या लैंगिक आशय से कोई ऐसा अन्य कार्य करता है जिसमें प्रवेशन के बिना शारीरिक संपर्क शामिल है, वह लैंगिक हमला करता है, यह कहा जाता है।