COURT WARNS AGAINST MISUSE OF POCSO ACT

The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to a man who allegedly eloped with and married a minor girl, raising concerns about the potential misuse of the POCSO Act in cases involving consensual romantic relationships between teenagers.

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A single bench of Justice Krishan Pahal highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between genuine cases of exploitation and those involving consensual relationships. He stated, “While the POCSO Act’s primary objective is to protect children under the age of majority (18) from sexual exploitation, there are instances where it has been misused, particularly in consensual romantic relationships between teenage individuals. The court emphasized the need for a nuanced approach and careful judicial consideration to ensure appropriate justice.