Adolescent consensual relationships not sexual abuse, says Orissa High Court
The Orissa High Court recently said that an adolescent consensual relationship is legally distinguishable from sexual abuse and that criminalising such a relationship is impermissible in law. Disposing of the plea, Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra directed the petitioner, a 21-year-old youth who has been in jail since January 11, to approach the trial court, which would consider the facts of the case and the relevant judgments cited by his counsel. “The petitioner and the victim were involved in an adolescent consensual relationship, which is distinguishable from sexual abuse, hence criminalisation of such relationship is forbidden in law,” the court said on January 16 referring to the earlier verdict. The Orissa High Court directed the petitioner to move an application before the trial court for grant of bail. (Image enhanced using AI) Court refers to own ruling The court referred to an earlier order passed in March 2025 by the same high court. The court had in the March last year ruling said, “The continuation of legal proceedings under these circumstances serves no legitimate purpose and …
