New Delhi, Aug. 29 -- The Delhi high court has refused bail to a 70-year-old man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl, holding that the wide age gap between the two heightened the gravity of the offence and demanded a stringent approach.

A bench of justice Ajay Digpaul, ruling on the man's plea on August 25, said the disparity in age made the alleged act "more heinous" and raised serious concerns of exploitation and breach of trust. The accused faces charges under section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code and section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He was arrested in October 2023.

According to the prosecution, the girl alleged that the man lured her into his house, removed her clothes, sexually assaulted h...