The Supreme Court has ruled that grabbing of breasts and pulling the pyjama string amount to "attempt to rape", setting aside a controversial Allahabad High Court order which said these were only "preparation to commit rape". ADVERTISEMENTThe court passed the order on February 10 on a suo motu plea in which it had taken cognisance of the Allahabad High Court order, which stated that mere grabbing of the breasts and pulling the string of a pyjama did not amount to the offence of rape. While setting aside the HC judgement, the top court restored the original stringent charge of attempt to rape against two accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Akash allegedly dragged her and tried to take her beneath the culvert and pulled the string of her pyjama. Two persons reached the spot on hearing the cries of the girl, causing the accused to flee.

Source: The Telegraph February 18, 2026 11:13 UTC