‘Highly Objectionable…’: SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Calcutta HC Order Asking Adolescent Girls To Control Sexual Urges

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of a controversial order from the Calcutta High Court in October. The High Court had acquitted a man convicted of raping a minor, asserting that it’s the duty of adolescent girls to control their sexual urges. The court expressed concerns about the inclusion of consensual acts among adolescents under the POCSO Act and advocated for decriminalizing such acts involving individuals above 16.

The division bench highlighted the importance of sexual education to avoid legal consequences arising from early sexual relations. The judgment suggested duties for both adolescent boys and girls, emphasizing that sexual urges are not “normal and normative.”

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The High Court asserted that it is the duty of female adolescents to protect their integrity, dignity, and self-worth by controlling sexual urges, framing it as a societal loss when they give in to “two minutes of pleasure.” For adolescent boys, the court emphasized the duty to respect and train their minds to uphold a woman’s dignity and autonomy.

To instill these values, the High Court recommended that parents play a crucial role as the first teachers, stressing the need for a foundation of respect and understanding within families.