The Court made the observation while setting aside the conviction of a young man in a POCSO case, noting that such prosecutions frequently arise due to parental opposition to teenage relationships.
A Special POCSO Court had recently ordered the police to register a case against the religious figure to probe allegations of sexual abuse of two minor boys.
The Court relied on precedents which had held that a subsequent marriage and stable family life was an 'exceptional circumstance' which warranted the quashing of criminal proceedings.
They used to apply different forms of modus operandi on children, including enabling access to online video-games or giving money or gifts to allure them.
Among other factors, the Court took note of the certificates issued to the man showing his participation in various programmes, including clearing an exam on Gandhian thoughts.
"There is a pressing need to bridge the gap between the protective intent of the POCSO Act and the sociological reality of adolescent autonomy," the Court added.
The Court said families often invoke POCSO against consensual adolescent couples and suggested the Centre to consider incorporating a 'Romeo-Juliet clause' to curb misuse of the law.
