Lucknow: The sixth edition of the e-booklet series “Historical Judgments in E-Booklet Format” has featured the Hindi translation of the Supreme Court’s September 23, 2024 judgment in the landmark case Just Rights for Children Alliance & Others vs S. Harish & Others.
The e-booklet was published on September 30, 2026, by the AI Assisted Legal Translation Advisory, e-AHCR and ILR Committee. The series is expected to serve as a valuable resource for legal researchers, advocates, judicial officers and law students.
The Supreme Court judgment addressed the protection of children and digital safety, holding that downloading, viewing or storing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) can constitute a criminal offence under Indian law. A Bench comprising then Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice J.B. Pardiwala set aside a Madras High Court order that had quashed a chargesheet on the grounds that private viewing or storage of such material, without transmission, did not constitute an offence.
The Supreme Court observed that such an interpretation would undermine the objectives of child-protection laws and normalise exploitative conduct. The Court also directed that the term “child sexual exploitation and abuse material” (CSEAM) be used instead of “child pornography” in judicial orders and judgments.
Among its recommendations were comprehensive sexuality education, support services for victims, rehabilitation programmes for offenders, public awareness campaigns, early identification of at-risk individuals, therapeutic strategies for young people displaying problematic sexual behaviour, and school-based education on healthy relationships, consent and appropriate conduct. It also recommended an expert committee by the Union of India and consideration of an amendment to Section 15(1) of the POCSO Act.
The AI-assisted translation project is being undertaken by the Suvas Cell, Prayagraj and Lucknow, under the patronage of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and guidance of the AI Assisted Legal Translation Advisory, e-AHCR and ILR Committee. The committee is headed by Justice Ajit Kumar, with Justice Sameer Jain, Justice Vikram D. Chauhan and Justice Vivek Kumar Singh as members.
Justice Swarupama Chaturvedi was also present on the occasion. Having represented children’s interests as an advocate in such matters, she contributed the foreword to the publication.
The e-booklet series is intended to democratise legal knowledge and make judicial resources more accessible. The publications will be available free of cost on the official website of the Allahabad High Court under the “e-Allahabad High Court Judgment Reporter (e-AHCR)” tab.
