Supreme Court Questions POCSO Act's Application to Teenage Relationships
The Supreme Court on July 13, 2026, examined the use of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against teenagers in voluntary sexual relationships. Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan noted that parents often initiate criminal proceedings to protect perceived 'honour' when teenage girls elope. The court raised concerns about whether relationships between individuals aged 15 to 18 should be subject to POCSO provisions, emphasizing that this age is one of experimentation. This discussion arose during a suo motu case regarding adolescents' right to privacy, following a controversial 2023 ruling by the Calcutta High Court that suggested adolescent girls should control their sexual urges. The Supreme Court had set aside that ruling in 2024.
Published 1 day ago • 13 Jul 2026, 10:38 PM IST