The Supreme Court recently raised concerns about the misuse of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) provisions against teenagers in voluntary sexual relationships.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan questioned how the state can prevent elopement of minors, highlighting that parents often resort to criminal proceedings to protect their so-called 'honour' when teenage girls run away with partners.

The court emphasized that 15-18 years is a vulnerable age for experimentation and clarified that POCSO applies to sexual assault, not consensual relationships.

The case was initiated after a Calcutta High Court's 2023 ruling, which controversially suggested adolescent girls should 'control' their sexual urges, was later overturned.Senior advocate Madhavi Divan highlighted systemic failures in POCSO cases, noting minors are entitled to rehabilitation measures.

The bench stressed the need for practical solutions to address physical relationships involving teenagers, even before the age of consent was raised to 18 in 2012.The court urged states to monitor POCSO cases and emphasized the importance of adolescent well-being and child protection.The case was adjourned for further hearing, underscoring the legal and societal complexities surrounding teenage relationships and law enforcement.