Consent irrelevant in POCSO cases, Kerala High Court rules

The Kerala High Court has clarified that consent is irrelevant in cases prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The court made this legal position clear while dismissing a plea filed by an accused challenging his conviction under the act.

The ruling reinforces that the POCSO Act prioritizes the protection of children and does not permit consent as a valid defence in such cases, irrespective of circumstances.