In a recent move, the Uttarakhand High Court urged the state to reconsider the practice of arresting minors simply for going on dates. The court suggested that offering guidance rather than punishment might be a more effective approach.
A panel comprising Chief Justice Ritu Bahari and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal voiced this opinion, highlighting the potential for counseling over criminalization. They proposed that instead of arresting the young boys involved, the police could record their statements and offer advice to deter such behavior, emphasizing that arrest should not be the first response.
The court’s recommendations came during a hearing of a plea seeking to halt the arrests of minors in dating situations, often initiated by complaints from the girls’ parents. The petitioner’s counsel argued that such actions do not fall under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act’s purview.
This matter is set to continue on July 6, with Advocate Manisha Bhandari representing the petitioner and Standing Counsel PC Bisht appearing for the state.
