POCSO Act, 2012 (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences)
Core Provision
• Child: Any person below 18 years
• Consent: Not recognised — any sexual act involving a minor is an offence
• Nature: Gender-neutral, stringent criminal law
Key Features
• Criminalises all sexual activity with minors (consensual or not)
• Special courts, child-friendly procedures
• Mandatory reporting of offences
‘Romeo–Juliet’ Clause (Proposed Idea)
What it Means
• A close-in-age exemption for consensual relationships between adolescents
Typical Scope (as discussed)
• Both parties are minors or young adolescents
• Small age gap (e.g., 16–18 years, exact limits to be defined)
• Relationship is consensual and non-exploitative
