Juveniles, age of consent and justice: Explaining the wide conviction gap

According to the government’s latest submission to the SC, between 2018 and 2022, only 468 juveniles aged 16-18 were convicted under IPC Section 376 (rape).

An analysis of government data in the Supreme Court reveals a stark disparity between the number of juveniles and young adults charged under rape and child sexual abuse laws and the relatively small proportion who are eventually convicted, throwing sharp focus on the ongoing debate over the age of consent and its unintended consequences.

For juveniles (16-18 years), Pocso convictions rose modestly from 144 in 2018 to 213 in 2022 even as the number of detentions rose from 844 to 1,757, which implies a conviction rate of just 12.12% in 2022. (Representational image) (Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times)

According to the Union government’s latest submission to the Supreme Court, between 2018 and 2022, only 468 juveniles aged 16-18 were convicted under Section 376