Saying "I Love You" to Minor Not Sexual Harassment Without Sexual Intent: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that merely shouting "I love you" at a minor girl does not amount to sexual harassment under the POCSO Act unless it is accompanied by sexual intent.

The case involved a 15-year-old girl who alleged harassment by a boy. The trial court acquitted him, and the High Court upheld the decision.

Justice Sanjay S. Agrawal noted that a single expression of love, without evidence of sexual desire or abusive language, doesn’t attract Section 7 of the POCSO Act or other IPC provisions. The state’s appeal challenging the acquittal was dismissed. (State of Chhattisgarh v. Rupendra Das Manikpuri)