The POCSO Act and Gender Neutrality: Karnataka High Court’s Stance
Introduction The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) of 2012 was India’s answer to a grim reality: children need ironclad legal protection from sexual abuse. Designed as a gender neutral shield, it aimed to safeguard all children, boys, girls, or otherwise, while holding any perpetrator accountable, regardless of their sex. But as with many laws, the devil’s in the details, or in this case, the pronouns. The use of “he” in key provisions like Sections 41and...
