POCSO not meant to criminalise consensual relationships: HC

Granting bail to an 18-year-old for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl, the bench of Justice Krishan Pahal at Allahabad HC observed that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was never meant to criminalise consensual romantic relationships between adolescents. The court granted bail on the grounds of a delayed FIR and a lack of medical corroboration.