Supreme Court criticizes Calcutta HC's 'Sexual Urge' advice; Seems it violative of adolescents' rights

• The SC condemns Calcutta HC's advice to young girls to "control sexual urge," labeling it as objectionable and unwarranted
• Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal assert that the remarks violate the rights of adolescents under Article 21 of the Constitution
• The Calcutta HCs observations were part of a judgement in a POCSO act

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Friday rebuked the Calcutta High Court's recent remarks advising young girls to "control sexual urge," deeming them "objectionable and unwarranted."

The criticism was directed at the high court's observations within a judgement related to a POCSO Act case, where it was stated that it is normal for adolescents to seek the company of the opposite sex but not "normal for them to engage in sex devoid of any commitment and dedication

The Supreme Court, represented by a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal, asserted that such comments violated the rights of adolescents under Article 21 of the Constitution, emphasizing that judges should refrain from expressing personal views or preaching.

Supreme Court also said the girls should protect their dignity and self-worth. For male adolescents, it said, they should “respect the aforesaid duties of a young girl or woman and he should train his mind to respect a woman, her self-worth, her dignity and privacy, and right to autonomy of her body”.The Calcutta High Court had made these observations while hearing a teenager's request against conviction in a rape case.