By Kawanpreet Kaur 

The Delhi High Court rejected a plea seeking action under POCSO Act against the spiritual leader Dalai Lama for kissing a child on the lips. A video in 2023 emerged showing the spiritual leader kissing a boy and asking him to suck his lips and tongue. The video sparked angry reactions in the public and the act was termed as being disgusting. Following the incident, Dalai Lama issued an apology and argued that he was just being playful and the act should be seen in the context of Tibetan culture. The Court held that there was no public interest in the PIL. Further, it was stated that the incident was more than a year and a half year old. It happened in full public glare and the child had expressed his desire and intent to meet Dalai Lama. The Court viewed the video in its overall perspective including the apology expressed by the leader after the incident. It observed that the leader heads a religious sect which is not on its best terms with a foreign power is also to be borne in mind. The Court also stated the presence of many babas and gurus who thrash and kick people with whom people are okay and the Court’s inability to do anything if someone challenges such acts. Accordingly, the Court rejected the plea but added that if the parents of the child in the video are aggrieved, action will be taken. (Confederation of NGOs & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.) 

Click here to read/download the order.