Guwahati, March 26 -- The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday stayed a controversial order issued by the Allahabad High Court, which had ruled that grabbing the breasts of a minor girl, pulling the string of her pyjama, and attempting to drag her beneath a culvert did not constitute an attempt to rape.

Instead, the High Court had classified the acts as "aggravated sexual assault" under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which carries a lesser punishment.

During the hearing, Justices B.R. Gavai and A.G. Masih strongly disagreed with the High Court's decision, which sparked public outrage.

The Supreme Court bench expressed its shock and criticized the High Court for exhibiting "total insensitivity" in handling t...