Shankar Kisanrao Khade v. State of Maharashtra
Supreme Court of India2013 INSC 281; MANU/SC/0476/2013; (2013) 5 SCC 546Bench: J. C.K. Prasad, J. Pinaki Chandra Ghose
The Supreme Court held that institutions housing disabled, orphaned, or otherwise vulnerable children have the highest duty of care and a mandatory obligation to report any sexual abuse of children in their care under Section 19 POCSO. The management, warden, or person-in-charge of such institutions who fail to report or who suppress information about child abuse to avoid adverse publicity are liable for punishment under Section 21 POCSO. The Court also directed that State governments must conduct regular inspections of all child care institutions.