Consider Romeo-Juliet clause in POCSO to protect adolescent relationships, Supreme Court tells Centre

The Supreme Court has urged the Union government to introduce a "Romeo-Juliet" clause in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to protect genuine adolescent relationships from prosecution. The court highlighted that POCSO cases filed by families objecting to romantic involvement between teenagers have become common, leading to young boys being unjustly imprisoned. The court emphasized the misuse of the law for revenge and the need to address the societal chasm between vulnerable child survivors and those with privilege who can manipulate the legal system.