Supreme Court's Landmark Ruling on Child Sexual Exploitation Laws in India

The Supreme Court of India recognized the deeply-rooted issue of child sexual exploitation, emphasizing the importance of the POCSO Act, 2012. The ruling clarified that mere possession of child pornographic material is an offense under POCSO and IT Acts. This decision aims to protect children from various forms of sexual abuse.

The Supreme Court of India has acknowledged the pervasive and deeply-rooted issue of child sexual exploitation, a matter of serious concern in the country.

In its judgment, the court underscored the necessity of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, emphasizing that prior to this legislation, there was no specific legal framework dedicated to addressing sexual offenses against minors.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala, highlighted that increasing incidents of child sexual abuse and the growing awareness of its long-term psychological impacts necessitated a dedicated law. The POCSO Act was specifically introduced to address these concerns and provide robust legal mechanisms to protect children from various forms of sexual abuse, including harassment, pornography, and aggravated assault.

(With inputs from agencies.)