Indira Jaising Urges Supreme Court to Lower Age of Consent Under POCSO Act from 18 to 16; Centre Opposes, Citing Exploitation Risks

In her written submissions in the Nipun Saxena v. Union of India case, Jaising argued that the current law criminalizes consensual romantic relationships among adolescents aged 16–18, violating their constitutional rights to autonomy, privacy, and dignity under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21. She noted a 180% increase in POCSO prosecutions involving minors aged 16–18 between 2017 and 2021, often triggered by parental complaints in inter-caste or inter-faith relationships, frequently against the girl’s wishes.