Pocso Act not meant to criminalise adolescents' consensual relations: Allahabad HC

Pocso Act is "never meant to criminalise consensual romantic relationships between adolescents", Allahabad HC observed while granting bail to an 18-year-old boy arrested in March for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girlfriend. Counsel for the accused contended before HC that it is a case of consensual relationship and that there is no medical corroboration of the incident.

In its order dated April 29, HC said it would amount to perversity of justice if the statement of the victim was ignored and the accused was left to suffer in jail. Stressing that consensual relationships born out of love should be considered while granting bail, Justice Krishan Pahal said Pocso Act, enacted to protect children under the age of 18 years from sexual exploitation, has become a tool for their exploitation.