Nainital. Uttarakhand High Court: The High Court heard a PIL filed against arresting only the boy when a minor boy and girl are caught in love and dating.

During this time, the government asked for additional time to submit its reply in the case. On which the court granted time and fixed the next hearing after three weeks. Even during the last hearing, the court had sought reply from the central and state governments in the matter.

PIL filed by Manisha Bhandari

A public interest litigation filed by advocate Manisha Bhandari was heard in the division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Bahri and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal. In which it is said that in the case of love between minor boys and girls, the boy is always considered guilty. Whereas in some cases the girl is also elder.

Even then the boy is taken into custody and is labelled a criminal and put in jail. Whereas instead of arresting him, he should be counselled. At an age when he should be in school-college, he is in jail.

Counseling of boys, girls and relatives should be done

Under the Juvenile Justice Act, counseling of boys and girls and relatives should be done in such cases. Whereas in the Indian Penal Code (now Indian Justice Code), instead of punishing those aged between 16 and 18 years, there is a provision to form a board to know their mental condition.

On the contrary, they are sent to jail under some sections of the POCSO Act. This is a matter of concern. Therefore, it is necessary to consider this. Instead of sending minors directly to jail, they should be counselled.