The article highlights the severe backlog of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases in Telangana, where over half of the registered cases remain pending trial.Between January 2016 and June 2026, Telangana recorded 31,117 POCSO cases, with 52.54% still unresolved due to judicial delays.

Legal experts attribute this to insufficient dedicated courts, procedural complexities, and challenges in proving consent, especially in cases involving older adolescents.

The article emphasizes that while convictions are quicker for younger victims, technicalities like age verification and evidence collection often stall genuine cases.

Police classify adolescent-related incidents as 'technical' cases, which consume judicial resources without addressing core child abuse issues.

The Supreme Court's suggestion of a 'Romeo and Juliet' clause to exempt consensual relationships between close-aged teens from prosecution has sparked debate, with concerns about creating legal ambiguities.Overall, the piece underscores systemic failures in prioritizing child protection within the legal framework.