NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act being invoked in cases of consenting adolescent romantic relations, Supreme Court said on Tuesday there was a need to spread awareness among students about the issue and hinted that it would pass directions. “The Pocso Act is being misused in cases of marital discord and matters pertaining to consensual relationships between adolescents. The law is being thrust upon boys. We should spread awareness among boys and men about the legal provisions,” the court said.Advocate Sandeep Sudhakar Deshmukh, appearing for the petitioner, said the country continues to witness a disturbing surge of rapes and crimes against women and girls. “It must be made mandatory in all schools whether aided or unaided, whether they have classes on sex education or not, to educate the children about the folly and drastic consequences of rape, including creating awareness that violating the privacy of the other sex would be considered wrong and derogatory and that it amounts to a crime,” the petition said. Petitioner: Schools must teach kids anti-rape laws The bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan directed states to file responses to a PIL seeking its intervention to direct the govt to make people aware about the law.Advocate Sandeep Sudhakar Deshmukh, appearing for the petitioner, said the country continues to witness a disturbing surge of rapes and crimes against women and girls.”It must be made mandatory in all schools whether aided or unaided, whether they have classes on sex education or not, to educate the children about the folly and drastic consequences of rape, including creating awareness that violating the privacy of the other sex would be considered wrong and derogatory and that it amounts to a crime,” the petition said. “Schools should make students aware about anti-rape laws at a young age so that they understand the consequences of committing such offences, including different kinds of rape as per the amended definition under Section 375 IPC,” it further added.SC has repeatedly highlighted the problem of consenting adolescent romantic relations being criminalised. Last week, the court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution and acquitted a man charged under the Pocso Act after noting that the couple was happily married. It said the crime was not the result of lust but love, and the rigidity of law should not be allowed to cause injustice.”We are, thus, persuaded to hold that this is a case where the law must yield to the cause of justice,” Supreme Court had said after the man’s wife told the court that she wanted to lead a happy, normal and peaceful life with him and the child born out of their wedlock.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Should Review No First Use Policy’: Army Veteran On Trump’s Pak Nuke Test Shocker’Consumption Going Up’: U.S. Eyes India As A Major Market For Its Energy ExportsAt Least 5 Killed, Several Injured As Passenger Train Collides With Goods Trains In ChhattisgarhInterpol’s Red Notice Triggers Global Chase For ₹13,000 Cr Cocaine Cartel Heir Rishabh Baisoya’World Must Learn Conflict Termination From India’s Op Sindoor’: Indian Air Force Chief AP SinghPak Army Chief Asim Munir’s Powers Set To Grow As Shehbaz Govt Mulls 27th Constitution AmendmentWill Nitish Kumar’s ‘Jeevika Didi’ Scheme Sway Women Voters? Ground Report From Bihar’s Korha’Days Of Maoists Are Numbered In India’: Bastar Top Cop Issues Final Warning To Left Wing Extremists‘India Is The Future’: Israel FM Backs Delhi’s Rise, Eyes Deeper Strategic And Security Ties NowFatal US Crash: Sober Indian-Origin Driver Charged With Homicide, Linked To Border Policy Debate123 Photostories 7 stunning celestial events to witness during November 2025Take a cue from the ‘sexiest man alive’: 7 everyday fashion inspo from Wicked star Jonathan BaileyFrom Banarasi to chiffon: 5 saree moments that made Kajol the coolest mom in the wedding crowdBollywood stars who’ve wowed fans with their unexpected singing talent5 types of protein-rich egg curries perfect for lunchStylish wedding pictures of Birla scion Vedant Birla and Tejal KulkarniKhushi Kapoor birthday special: A look at the actress’s best fashion momentsExclusive – Pati Patni Aur Panga’s Avika Gor and Milind Chandwani on dealing with troll for marrying on television, getting emotional during Bidaai and balancing work after marriage5 weird food cravings and their easy fixes to try at homeWhat does the colour of poop say about a person’s liver and gut health?123Hot PicksStock market holidayBank HolidayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingTaylor SwiftJalen Green GirlfriendKyle KulinskiWilliam NylanderMLB Trade RumorsTravis Kelce InjuryAsmongoldRoope HintzTyrese Haliburton InjuryBengaluru Scooter Accident
NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act being invoked in cases of consenting adolescent romantic relations, Supreme Court said on Tuesday there was a need to spread awareness among students about the issue and hinted that it would pass directions. “The Pocso Act is being misused in cases of marital discord and matters pertaining to consensual relationships between adolescents. The law is being thrust upon boys. We should spread awareness among boys and men about the legal provisions,” the court said.Advocate Sandeep Sudhakar Deshmukh, appearing for the petitioner, said the country continues to witness a disturbing surge of rapes and crimes against women and girls. “It must be made mandatory in all schools whether aided or unaided, whether they have classes on sex education or not, to educate the children about the folly and drastic consequences of rape, including creating awareness that violating the privacy of the other sex would be considered wrong and derogatory and that it amounts to a crime,” the petition said. Petitioner: Schools must teach kids anti-rape laws The bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan directed states to file responses to a PIL seeking its intervention to direct the govt to make people aware about the law.Advocate Sandeep Sudhakar Deshmukh, appearing for the petitioner, said the country continues to witness a disturbing surge of rapes and crimes against women and girls.“It must be made mandatory in all schools whether aided or unaided, whether they have classes on sex education or not, to educate the children about the folly and drastic consequences of rape, including creating awareness that violating the privacy of the other sex would be considered wrong and derogatory and that it amounts to a crime,” the petition said. “Schools should make students aware about anti-rape laws at a young age so that they understand the consequences of committing such offences, including different kinds of rape as per the amended definition under Section 375 IPC,” it further added.SC has repeatedly highlighted the problem of consenting adolescent romantic relations being criminalised. Last week, the court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution and acquitted a man charged under the Pocso Act after noting that the couple was happily married. It said the crime was not the result of lust but love, and the rigidity of law should not be allowed to cause injustice.“We are, thus, persuaded to hold that this is a case where the law must yield to the cause of justice,” Supreme Court had said after the man’s wife told the court that she wanted to lead a happy, normal and peaceful life with him and the child born out of their wedlock.
