Will Romeo Juliet Clause in POCSO redefine teen love?

In India, the POCSO Act was enacted to protect children from sexual abuse, exploitation, etc. The whole focus is upon the pedophile who may take advantage of a child's innocence. Sexual interaction with a minor is a serious offence, which is needed to protect children. However, there is another side of the coin. POCSO Act is applicable to all children, those who are forced against, and those who voluntarily enter such relationships. Faced with several cases of misuse, the Courts want Lawmakers to introduce Romeo Juliet Clause in POCSO. Does this mean the Judiciary wants to promote adolescent relationships? Or normalize them? 

Adolescent Love

Anyone below the age of 18 years is a child in the eyes of law. However, this age also covers the age of puberty where several hormonal changes occur in a child’s body. An adolescent is a young person in the transitional stage of physical, psychological, and social development between childhood and adulthood, generally spanning ages 10 to 19. This period involves significant, rapid changes including puberty, identity formation, and increased independence from parents. This is the age when the seeds of love sprout, when everyone meets their “first love”.  

That glance, those small talks, the gestures, everything seems special. The combination of hormonal changes with the knack to know it all, often inclines teenagers toward exploring physical and romantic relationships. Even when both may be genuinely attracted towards each other, the law does not extend any benefit. 

Law on Sexual Offences against Children

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 seeks to shield children against sexual assault, sexual harassment, pornography, etc. It lays the legal framework for prosecuting any person who commits such offences against a child. Section 2(d) of POCSO defines a “child” as any person below the age of 18 years. Hence, anyone who has had a sexual intercourse with a child is subject to prosecution under the POCSO Act.  

Regardless of whether the relationship was consensual or not, the law does not back down. The law does not loosen its grip even or cases of adolescent love.  

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 is a special and stringent law. It is one of those laws which grant wide powers of arrest, as against strict bail conditions, making release difficult even before guilt is proven. Once a POCSO complaint is registered, the accused has to undergo a tough battle, because the chance to prove innocence does not come sooner. Days and months and years pass by, and anyone rarely gets to explain their side of the case.  

Consequences for Genuine Relationships

When we talk about adolescent love in context with POCSO Act, it is about those teenagers at the verge of becoming adults, who dream of getting married, starting a family, a “together forever” goal. But when the parents come to know about such plans, they pop up the fantasy balloon. As mostly seen, the girl’s family goes a step ahead to protect their child’s reputation in society by portraying it all as a crime committed by the boy by enticing the childish girl. The police act, which means the boy will be arrested on POCSO charges. Since the law is strict, there is almost no scope for going back to life any sooner.....Not until bail is availed or the case concludes. 

Quashing applications are made to the High Court under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 (Sec 482 CrPC). However, the law does not leave any scope for consent in such cases, which means consensual relationships are also treated from a criminal lens. Therefore, there is no scope even if the girl confesses before the Court about her voluntary involvement. As a result, the male counterpart has to suffer. 

Consider Romeo-Juliet Clause in POCSO: Supreme Court

Courts these days witness families settling scores with teenagers by using harsh criminal provisions against consensual sexual activities. Recently in January 2026, the Supreme Court asked the Central Government to consider introducing a “Romeo-Juliet” clause in the POCSO Act. This happened in the case of State of UP v. Anurudh (2026). The primary objective of the suggestion is to exempt genuine adolescent relationships from criminal prosecution.  

The Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh expressed that “Considering the fact that repeated judicial notice has been taken of the misuse of these laws, let a copy of this judgment be circulated to the Secretary, Law, Government of India, to consider initiation of steps as may be possible to curb this menace inter alia, the introduction of a Romeo – Juliet clause exempting genuine adolescent relationships from the stronghold of this law; enacting a mechanism enabling the prosecution of those persons who, by the use of these laws seeks to settle scores etc.” 

Why Romeo-Juliet?

Another question that arises from the Supreme Court’s request for Romeo-Juliet clause in POCSO Act is the terminology. Why did the Apex Court choose Romeo-Juliet? And why not some examples with Indian context, like Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal, etc. 

The reason comes from the express mention of Romeo-Juliet's age. In William Shakespeare's original play, Juliet is 13 years old, specifically "not yet fourteen." On the other hand, Romeo is generally understood to be a young man, often portrayed as being in his mid-to-late teens, roughly 16 or 17. Therefore, Romeo-Juliet seem to be more relatable in context with the applicability of POCSO Act.

Redefining Teen Love

Based on all the discussion earlier, what can be gathered is that as of now, adolescent love is a crime in India. In almost all the cases where prosecution begins, the male counterpart must bear the wrath of Indian Legal System, even if it was innocent and consensual physical and romantic relationship.  

If and when the Legislature introduces Romeo Juliet Clause in POCSO Act, the situation will be different. There will be less scope for the misuse of stringent provisions of the law meant for protecting innocent children against perpetrators. Some may see this as the need-of-the-hour where love is sprouting sooner, and some may see it as a step uncalled to promote sexual relationships among teenagers. Let’s see when, and how the Parliament legislates on the so-called Romeo-Juliet clause.