Supreme Court to examine POCSO clause requiring mandatory reporting of sexual activity

The Hindu

24-04-2025

The Supreme Court on Thursday (April 24, 2025) agreed to hear concerns flagged by senior advocate Indira Jaising that mandatory reporting of sexual activity, even if a voluntary one, under Section 19 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) is leading to the criminalisation of the young and poses a threat to the fundamental right to health of adolescent girls.
Appearing before a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, Ms. Jaising, who is amicus curiae in the case along with senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, said the age of consent was raised from 16 years to 18 in 2012 with the enactment of the POCSO. This has led to a situation when knowledge of even voluntary sexual activity between juveniles is required to be reported to the police.
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'Counselling and not criminalisation is required in such cases. We do not need to create an army of criminals,' Ms. Jaising submitted.
The senior advocate said parents, guardians, and even doctors are being penalised on the ground that they had knowledge but did not report to the police about the sexual activity.
'A doctor to whom a juvenile approaches for medical care has to report the sexual activity to the police even if she says it was voluntary. In such a situation, juveniles would turn to quacks and endanger their health,' Ms. Jaising argued.
The court said Ms. Jaising has raised a 'serious and relevant' issue. It scheduled a detailed hearing on May 8.
The Bench suggested taking the aid of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, and, if required, the Attorney General of India on the issue.
The Legislature had intended the requirement for mandatorily reporting sexual activity under Section 19 of the POCSO to prioritise timely intervention and protection of children.