Orissa HC: POCSO Should Not Be Used To Criminalise Consensual Relationships or Enforce Outdated Moral Codes

The Orissa High Court has held that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) should not be misused to criminalise consensual adolescent relationships or enforce outdated moral codes.

The Court must distinguish genuine cases of sexual exploitation from consensual relationships between adolescents who are close in age, even if such relationships do not conform to social norms. 

The Court advocated for judicial recognition of ‘Romeo and Juliet clauses’ to protect romantic adolescent relationships. 

The petitioner booked under IPC Sections 376(1), 376(2)(n), and 506, and Section 6 of the POCSO Act was granted one‑month interim bail. The matter will be heard next on July 15, 2025.