Accused in Rape and POCSO Case Cannot Be Declared ‘Proclaimed Offender’, Only ‘Proclaimed Person’: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court delivered an important judgment clarifying the legal distinction between a “proclaimed offender” and a “proclaimed person” under Section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Court held that in cases involving Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, an accused cannot be declared a proclaimed offender. Background of the Case The petitioner, Mohd Aman Rana, approached the High…