In Etah, a 25-year-old man was jailed for creating Instagram Reels within a special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) court. The incident occurred on Friday, during trial proceedings for a gang-rape case. The judge deemed the act "inexcusable" and sentenced the man to 15 days of rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of Rs 1,000.

The man claimed that his phone "automatically started making videos," but the judge dismissed this as a "lame explanation". The individual's identity has not been released in reports. It's important to note that creating recordings or taking photographs within courtrooms is generally prohibited, and such actions can be considered contempt of court, leading to penalties.

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining decorum and respecting the sanctity of court proceedings. It also raises questions about security measures within courtrooms and the need for increased vigilance to prevent such incidents from occurring.

In related news concerning the POCSO Act, the Supreme Court in May 2025 addressed a unique case where a man convicted under the Act was spared a jail sentence. The court cited the specific circumstances, noting that the victim did not consider the act a heinous crime. The case involved a 24-year-old man who had sexual relations with a 15-year-old girl, later marrying her and having a child together. The court acknowledged the trauma the victim faced and stated that the legal and social consequences had taken a toll on her. The Supreme Court invoked Article 142 of the Constitution, granting it the authority to ensure complete justice, and upheld the conviction but refrained from imposing a sentence. The court also commented on the need for judicial discretion in POCSO cases and the potential misuse of the Act in consensual relationships.

In another case, in Surat, a 45-year-old man was sentenced to seven years in jail for aggravated sexual assault on an 11-year-old girl. The victim had recorded a video of her neighbor flashing her, which proved crucial evidence under the POCSO Act. The court emphasized the importance of parents taking children's complaints of sexual harassment seriously.

These cases illustrate the complexities and varying interpretations within the application of the POCSO Act, as well as the judiciary's role in balancing justice with individual circumstances.