New Delhi: The Law Commission has opposed lowering the age limit from 18 to 16 years under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. He further said that doing so may affect activities against child marriage and child trafficking. Therefore, the Law Commission has suggested reducing the age limit for consensual sexual relations and said, “Let there be no change in the age limit set earlier.” The age of consent for sexual intercourse should not be lowered.
It is worth noting that the age limit for consensual sexual intercourse in India is 18 years. In December last year, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud expressed concern over the age of consent under the POCSO Act. He ordered to solve this problem. In this case, the Commission considered it appropriate to exercise judicial discretion in sentencing matters. This statutory commission is balanced in law and thus protects the best interest of the child.
The panel said the law needs to be amended to improve the situation where consent is obtained from a child between the ages of 18 and 16. It said that guided judicial discretion can be exercised in such cases.
