In a significant ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India allowed bail to a 15-year-old boy accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, while also making a larger observation - that sex education in schools must begin much earlier than Class IX.
The bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Alok Aradhe delivered the order while hearing an appeal against an Allahabad High Court decision that had earlier denied bail to the juvenile.
Background
The case involved a minor boy from Uttar Pradesh, charged under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 6 of the POCSO Act, which deals with aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
The High Court had rejected his bail plea on 28 August 2024, prompting the boy, represented through his counsel Mr. V.N. Raghupathy, to approach the Supreme Court.
The top court had earlier, on 10 September 2025, granted interim bail to the juvenile and directed the Juvenile Justice Board to impose appropriate conditions. During that hearing, the bench had also sought details from the State of Uttar Pradesh on the inclusion of sex education in the state’s school curriculum.
Court's Observations
On 8 October 2025, the state filed an affidavit through the Circle Officer of Sambhal district, outlining that sex education is part of the curriculum from Classes IX to XII, following NCERT guidelines.
However, the bench appeared unconvinced.
"We are of the opinion that sex education should be provided to children from a younger age and not class IX onwards," the bench remarked, adding that "authorities must apply their mind and take corrective measures" to sensitize children about the physical and emotional changes during puberty.
This comment - though made in a bail matter - carries a much broader social message, highlighting the court’s concern about the lack of awareness among adolescents that can sometimes lead to criminal consequences.
Decision
Allowing the appeal, the Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order and made the earlier bail order dated 10 September 2025 absolute, meaning it will remain effective until the conclusion of the trial.
The appeal is allowed," the bench declared, clarifying that no observations were made on the merits of the case, and the decision was limited to bail considerations.
All pending applications were disposed of.
Case Title: Juvenile X vs. State of Uttar Pradesh
Case Number: Criminal Appeal No. _ of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 10915 of 2025)
Date of Order: October 8, 2025
