Child protection: The Just Right for Children Alliance case

The Supreme Court of India's recent ruling in Just Right for Children Alliance v. S. Harish marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation.

- DEEVANSHU SHRIVASTAVA

The Supreme Court of India's recent ruling in Just Right for Children Alliance v. S. Harish marks a significant milestone in the country's efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation. By declaring the mere possession or storage of child sexual abuse material as a punishable offense, the Court has sent a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated.

The Supreme Court urged the Parliament to "seriously consider" amending the POCSO Act to substitute the term "child pornography" with "Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material" or CSEAM. The POCSO Act, while a crucial piece of legislation, faced challenges in effectively addressing the growing menace of child sexual abuse material.

The Supreme Court's decision has filled this gap by establishing a clear legal framework that holds individuals accountable for even the passive possession of such content. This step is crucial because it recognizes that the very existence of such material fuels the demand for child sexual abuse, thereby perpetuating the cycle of exploitation.