Is A Parent Mandatorily Required To Report Offences Under The POCSO Act

Sexual harassment, abuse and sexual assault against young children are on the rise and to ensure protection of children rights and to strengthen reporting and enforcement provisions, the Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently held in the case of Surjeet Khanna vs. State of Haryana and Another (CRM-M-36154-2023) that even the parents of young children are mandatorily required to report offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 ("POCSO Act").

Facts

The deceased minor victim had committed suicide blaming the school authorities for taking such extreme step. The victim's mother alleged that the victim was subjected to harassment, bullying, torture etc. A complaint was also made to the school management, but no action was taken.