Bengaluru: The Madras high court said that in cases involving consensual relationships between adolescents, it is often the “young boy who ends up facing criminal consequences”, as it set aside the conviction of a man under Pocso Act.
Justice N Mala of the Madurai bench of the high court made the remarks while dealing with the case. (File Photo)
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
Justice N Mala of the Madurai bench of the high court made the remarks while dealing with the case arising from a relationship between two teenagers in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, where the girl was about 16 years old and the convict was around 17 at the time of the incident in 2018. According to the prosecution, the boy had expressed his love for her and proposed marriage.
Following a complaint, the boy was convicted by a special court under the Pocso Act and under section 366 of IPC for the offence of abducting someone and forcing them for marriage.
The court sentenced him to imprisonment for 20 years. The accused later filed an appeal before the high court.
{{^htLoading}} {{/htLoading}}
{{^usCountry}}
“...In cases involving consensual relationships between adolescents, it is often the young boy, who ultimately bears the consequences. Under parental pressure, the girl may be compelled to marry another person, following which criminal proceedings are initiated against the boy under the Pocso Act, resulting in his prolonged incarceration,” justice N Mala said in her order passed last month.
{{/usCountry}}
{{#usCountry}}
“...In cases involving consensual relationships between adolescents, it is often the young boy, who ultimately bears the consequences. Under parental pressure, the girl may be compelled to marry another person, following which criminal proceedings are initiated against the boy under the Pocso Act, resulting in his prolonged incarceration,” justice N Mala said in her order passed last month.
Ayesha Arvind is a Senior Assistant Editor specialising in legal and judicial reportage. She covers High Courts and tribunals across southern India, and believes that important legal developments do not only come from New Delhi. Her work focuses on bringing significant decisions and developments from the region to a wider audience and explaining what they mean beyond the courtroom.
She tries to make legal material accessible by translating legal jargon into clear, readable prose and putting pleas, lawsuits, judgments and legal developments in context. She also looks at their political realities and practical consequences for people.
Ayesha is committed to the standards of integrity journalism requires. She places a premium on accuracy and fairness, and believes that journalism's powerful voice must be tempered by humility and a sense of proportion.
Over almost two decades in journalism, she has covered law and order, civil law, crime and other areas of legal affairs. Her work includes breaking news, legal affairs stories, online analysis and commentary.
Ayesha is deeply interested in the law, court judgments and the Constitution because they shape everyday life. She believes every citizen should have a basic understanding of them. What she enjoys most about covering courts is that every story brings something new to learn.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.
Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather major national developments and Karnataka Bandh LIVE.
Home/India News/Boys in consensual relationship often bear brunt of Pocso: Madras high court
{{^htLoading}}
Advertisement
{{/htLoading}}
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
{{#usCountry}}{{/usCountry}}
Hindustantimes wants to start sending you push notifications. Click allow to subscribe
