Saying “I love you” is often seen as an expression of affection among youngsters. But in many conservative settings, especially in India, this simple phrase is sometimes misunderstood, judged harshly, or even treated as inappropriate. There have been several instances where expressing love, especially towards a girl, has led to legal trouble, with families and authorities considering it morally wrong.
However, the Chhattisgarh High Court has now delivered a bold and refreshing verdict. The court ruled that saying “I love you” is not a crime. It emphasized that expressing feelings, whether supportive or critical, is a part of the fundamental right to free speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. The court clarified that just saying “I love you” does not warrant legal action or criminal charges.
This decision came during the hearing of a case involving a young boy who had told a 15-year-old girl that he loved her. Her parents filed a complaint, and the boy was arrested under serious sections, including POCSO. But the High Court overturned the lower court’s ruling, stating that mere expression of love without any inappropriate act does not amount to an offense.
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