Delhi High Court Dismisses Case Against Dalai Lama Over Kissing Incident

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking action against Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, under the POCSO Act for kissing a child on the lips. The incident, which took place one and a half years ago, went viral in April 2023.

The plea, filed by a confederation of NGOs and Jeroninio Almeida, stated that the video had a grave impact on the child’s well-being. The plea described the incident as an ‘unfathomable sin’ that occurred inside a temple when the child asked to hug Dalai Lama.

The bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that the incident happened in full public view and that Dalai Lama had already apologized for it. The plea aimed to be a wake-up call for authorities and stakeholders to ensure the protection and safety of children at spiritual and religious gatherings.

The plea also highlighted that despite comprehensive legislation to protect children from sexual offences, society has shown indifference towards the dignity of child victims. The Tibetan community defended the act as a cultural greeting, but the plea emphasized the need for responsible adult behavior.

Dalai Lama issued a public apology on April 10, 2023, after the video clip triggered outrage and criticism over his ‘inappropriate’ behavior.