New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation over the alleged sexual abuse of a child by the Dalai Lama, as allegedly shown in a video that went viral last year, saying that the religious leader was “being playful.” ” and has already apologized for the incident.
In the clip, the Dalai Lama is seen kissing the boy on the lips and asking him to “suck his tongue,” which caused a scandal on social media.
The petitioner, 'Confederation of NGOs', urged the court to direct the authorities to take cognizance of the alleged incident under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and also ensure that the identity of the child is removed of the news. portals.
A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan said the PIL cannot be entertained and the incident was "not premeditated".
“The court saw the video and concludes that it occurred in public view. The court finds that it was the minor who expressed his desire and intention to meet and hug Respondent no. 4 (the Dalai Lama),” the court said.
“If you see the video in general perspective, you can see that the respondent does not. 4 was being playful and trying to please the child. It must be seen in the context of Tibetan culture. The fact that he is the leader of a religious sect that does not get along with a foreign power must also be taken into account when dealing with such requests.
"The court is of the view that respondent No. 4 has already expressed his apologies to those who may have been aggrieved," said the bench, also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.
If anyone feels aggrieved, he can take appropriate legal action, the court said.
The petitioner's lawyer claimed that while she was not trying to "put the Holiness under the scanner", the authorities should have issued a statement after taking note of the incident.
Claiming that parents, who are “hypnotized” by religious leaders, often take their children with them, the petitioner prayed that they be given instructions to “audit” all religious places, ashrams, retreats, etc.
It was also argued that if measures are not taken, kissing minors on the lips would become normal.
The court stressed that the government would examine the issue and that there was "nothing of public interest" in the matter.
“There are gurus who kick people. We have seen that too. We can't get into all this. Then someone will say that he got a bad handshake. Leave it silent. “This is not a case to continue like this,” the court said.
“The present matter should not be considered of public interest and is dismissed,” he ordered.
In the clip, the Dalai Lama is seen kissing the boy on the lips and asking him to “suck his tongue,” which caused a scandal on social media.
The petitioner, 'Confederation of NGOs', urged the court to direct the authorities to take cognizance of the alleged incident under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and also ensure that the identity of the child is removed of the news. portals.
A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan said the PIL cannot be entertained and the incident was "not premeditated".
“The court saw the video and concludes that it occurred in public view. The court finds that it was the minor who expressed his desire and intention to meet and hug Respondent no. 4 (the Dalai Lama),” the court said.
“If you see the video in general perspective, you can see that the respondent does not. 4 was being playful and trying to please the child. It must be seen in the context of Tibetan culture. The fact that he is the leader of a religious sect that does not get along with a foreign power must also be taken into account when dealing with such requests.
"The court is of the view that respondent No. 4 has already expressed his apologies to those who may have been aggrieved," said the bench, also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela.
If anyone feels aggrieved, he can take appropriate legal action, the court said.
The petitioner's lawyer claimed that while she was not trying to "put the Holiness under the scanner", the authorities should have issued a statement after taking note of the incident.
Claiming that parents, who are “hypnotized” by religious leaders, often take their children with them, the petitioner prayed that they be given instructions to “audit” all religious places, ashrams, retreats, etc.
It was also argued that if measures are not taken, kissing minors on the lips would become normal.
The court stressed that the government would examine the issue and that there was "nothing of public interest" in the matter.
“There are gurus who kick people. We have seen that too. We can't get into all this. Then someone will say that he got a bad handshake. Leave it silent. “This is not a case to continue like this,” the court said.
“The present matter should not be considered of public interest and is dismissed,” he ordered.
