POCSO Act awareness camps in government educational institutions: SC orders Tamil Nadu government
Tamil Nadu: The Madurai Bench of the Chennai High Court on Friday ordered the Tamil Nadu government to take steps to spread awareness about the POCSO Act in schools and colleges.
Mahesh, a resident of Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district, had married his friend’s sister out of love. The girl was 16 years old at the time of the marriage. Subsequently, child protection officials received information that the girl and Mahesh were living as husband and wife.
Following this, officials rescued the girl and Mahesh and handed them over to the All Women Police Station in Nagercoil. Police there registered a case against Mahesh under the POCSO Act.
The Nagercoil Special Court, which heard the case, sentenced Mahesh to 25 years in prison. Mahesh appealed this decision to the Madurai Bench of the Chennai High Court.
The order issued by High Court Justice Mala, who heard the petition, stated: “Although original documents proving the woman’s age existed, they were not filed. Since the age has not been proven, the charges under the POCSO Act cannot be accepted.” Therefore, the sentence imposed on Mahesh is quashed.
Consensual love relationships become POCSO cases after parental opposition. The Tamil Nadu government should take steps to spread awareness about the POCSO Act by advertising extensively on television, radio, and newspapers. The Principal Secretary of the Tamil Nadu government should take steps to organize awareness camps on the POCSO Act in government schools and colleges.
The Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu government should file a report on the steps taken to implement these orders. The judge adjourned the hearing of the case until June 3.
