Pocso: Nearly 50% arrested in Kochi aged below 25 yrs

Time of India

7 hours ago

Kochi: Data from Kochi city shows that nearly 50% of those arrested under child protection laws in the first half of 2025 are aged under 25 years, with experts suggesting consensual relationships between adolescents and young adults.
Of the remaining 50%, a significant majority, mostly aged between 30 and 60 years, are alleged child predators accused of sexual exploitation.
As per arrest records, out of the 19 accused who were arrested under the provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act till May 2025, almost 10 were aged under 25 years. Of these, four were aged 23 years, two were 24 years and one each were 15, 18 and 20 years.
The remaining accused were much older. Three of them were over 55, two over 45 and four were over 30 years.
Experts say the rising number of young adults being booked under child protection laws is an emerging concern that warrants closer scrutiny, both in terms of legal interpretation and public awareness. At the same time, they caution that cases involving older men accused of child sexual abuse remain consistently high, particularly in rural areas.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Criminologist Ajitkumar Varma said it was high time adolescents received comprehensive sex education, not just about relationships and consent but also about the legal consequences of violating the age of consent. He noted that in countries like the UK, sexual intercourse with anyone under the age of 16 was illegal, regardless of consent, and was classified as statutory rape.
"Lowering the age of consent through legislation may open the door for actual predators to exploit minors," Varma said.
"At the same time, lawmakers could consider allowing a scientific investigation in cases where the age gap between the accused and the victim is minimal. A thorough background check can determine whether the accused is a repeat offender or was in a genuine relationship with someone just a few years younger.
Such a report, prepared by an expert, could help courts identify mild offenders and ensure punishment is proportionate," he added.
In many cases where the FIR involves a consensual relationship, the charges often do not result in convictions. Advocate Sarun Mankara, who has appeared for the prosecution in several Pocso cases, said that when young adults were involved, there was a high likelihood of witnesses turning hostile.
"When such cases come to court, if the complainant denies that any offence took place, it usually leads to an acquittal," said Mankara, adding, "This is quite common in cases involving mutual relationships."
Varma said that the threat posed by actual predators remains a serious challenge in child protection efforts. "We need to ensure pre-emptive action in such cases," he said. "In Europe, there's a crime reference check system, which mandates that everyone — from teachers to school cleaners — undergo background screening before being allowed into a school campus. This helps prevent individuals with a history of paedophilia from gaining access to children.
In addition, police forces are increasingly proactive online, posing as minors — sometimes as young as 10 or 12years — to bait and apprehend potential predators who target children through social media," Varma added.
Experts suggest that the data calls for both legal nuance and stronger preventive frameworks to protect minors without criminalizing youth.