Consensual Intercourse Between Minors – A Crime?

In a current judgement, the Meghalaya Excessive Court docket Invalidates POCSO FIR, Affirms Minor’s Capability for Acutely aware Determination in Sexual Assault Case

Meghalaya Excessive Court docket

In a big growth, the Meghalaya Excessive Court docket has dismissed an FIR filed underneath sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, which pertained to the alleged penetrative sexual assault on a minor. The court docket asserted {that a} 16-year-old is able to making a aware choice relating to sexual activity.

Through the proceedings, Justice W. Diengdoh, presiding over the bench, famous that contemplating the bodily and psychological growth of an adolescent across the age of 16, it’s affordable to consider that they will make aware selections about their well-being regarding participating in sexual acts.

The case revolved round a plea in search of the quashing of the FIR, contending that the incident didn’t quantity to sexual assault however reasonably constituted a consensual act, because the petitioner and the alleged sufferer had been in a romantic relationship.

In accordance with the petitioner’s model, they’d develop into acquainted whereas working in numerous households. In accordance with the allegations, they reportedly visited the residence of the petitioner’s uncle, the place the sexual activity occurred. The following day, the minor lady’s mom lodged a First Info Report (FIR) towards the petitioner, invoking Part 363 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act 2012.

After scrutiny of the petitioner’s arguments and contemplating related authorized precedents, the Court docket concluded that the survivor’s assertion, given underneath Part 164 of the Code of Prison Process (CrPC) and reiterated throughout her court docket testimony, affirmed her standing because the petitioner’s girlfriend. 

Furthermore, she explicitly acknowledged that the sexual activity occurred along with her consent and with out the usage of pressure. Regardless of her being a minor, roughly 16 years of age, the Court docket discovered the survivor’s assertion supportive of the petitioner’s place.

Citing the precedent set by the Madras Excessive Court docket within the case of Vijayalakshmi and One other v. State Rep. by Inspector of Police, All Girls Police Station (2021), the Court docket concluded that considering the bodily and psychological growth of people inside the survivor’s age bracket, it’s justifiable to imagine their functionality to make knowledgeable selections relating to participating in sexual activity.

A Biased Perspective 

Societal prejudices usually perpetuate the notion that ladies are victims and males are solely perpetrators, resulting in the erosion of the compassionate aspect of males. This biased perspective turns into notably evident in circumstances involving consensual sexual relationships amongst minors.

 The enactment of the Safety of Kids from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in 2012 inadvertently contributed to oldsters retaliating towards pre-marital intercourse by elevating the age of consent for females. Consequently, even when a male adolescent engages in consensual sexual exercise with a minor accomplice, he may be charged with youngster sexual abuse as a result of legislation’s invalidation of a minor’s consent.

The inherent injustice confronted by adolescents in such circumstances stems from regressive social norms and patriarchal management exerted over issues of sexuality and marriage. These norms limit adolescents’ company and deny them the liberty to make knowledgeable selections about their our bodies and relationships. The inflexible gender stereotypes perpetuated by society additional exacerbate this downside, overshadowing the potential for mutual respect and equality inside relationships.

To handle this situation, it’s essential to problem these prevailing biases, promote complete intercourse training, and encourage open discussions on consent and wholesome relationships. By fostering an setting that values particular person autonomy and respects the rights of all genders, we will try in direction of dismantling regressive norms and establishing a extra equitable society for adolescents.