Boys can be called for giving them advice not to indulge in these things, but they should not be arrested, the Court said.
The Uttarakhand High Court recently asked the State government to consider whether arrests can be avoided in cases where minor boys and girls go on dates.
A Bench of Chief Justice Ritu Bahari and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal said in its order,
“The State can examine the issue whether recording of the statement under section 161 of CrPC, would be sufficient not to arrest the boy, who has gone on a date with the girl, and at the most, he can be called for giving him advice not to indulge in these things, but he should not be arrested.”
The Court added that the State could examine this issue and issue general directions to the police.
The Court was hearing a plea seeking directions to the State to examine the issue of minors getting arrested for going on dates after the girl’s parents filed complaints against the boys.
Counsel for the petitioner argued that such an incident does not constitute an offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/uttarakhand-high-court-state-avoid-arresting-minors-going-on-dates