[POCSO Act] Defense Counsel Cannot Be Barred From Cross-Examining Child Witness Unless It Causes Discomfort Or Misuses Liberty: Kerala High Court

In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court addressed the issue of screening a child witness from the defense counsel in criminal trials, particularly under the POCSO Act. The Court declared that there is no provision in the POCSO Act or in the newly introduced Guidelines for Recording of Evidence of Vulnerable Witnesses of 2024 that allows for such screening. This judgment highlights the importance of the defense counsel's right…