How can State prevent elopement of boy and girl, says SC; flags POCSO misuse
The Supreme Court on Monday asked how the State can prevent the elopement of a boy and a girl in a relationship, flagging the misuse of POCSO provisions against teenagers in voluntary sexual relationships. The top court made the observation while hearing a suo motu case concerning the right to privacy of adolescents. (PTI) A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan observed that parents often resort to criminal proceedings to protect their so-called “honour” when teenage girls run away with their partners. “How can the State prevent the elopement of a girl and a boy? POCSO is sexual assault and exploitation of children, the court said, adding that 15-18 is a vulnerable age. Also read: Former AAP leader Tahir Hussain convicted in IB officer Ankit Sharma’s murder case “It’s the age of experimentation. The question is, does it really become a POCSO case?” the court said. The top court made the observation while hearing a suo motu case concerning the right to privacy of adolescents. The case had been initiated in the …
