Delhi High Court dismisses plea against the Dalai Lama over kissing video row

Delhi High Court dismisses petition against Dalai Lama for playful act with child, citing cultural context and lack of premeditation.

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition to take action against the Dalai Lama, over a video clip which went viral in April 2023, where he was seen kissing a boy on the lips and asking him to “suck his tongue”, saying the Tibetan spiritual leader was being “playful and trying to humour the child”.

A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela also took note of the fact that the Dalai Lama had already apologised to those who may have been hurt by the incident.

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The public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the ‘Confederation of NGOs’ stated that the startling video went viral across media channels on various social media platforms in April 2023 without hiding the identity of the eight-year-old minor boy, and discussions and debates were organised by many news channels, which would have a grave impact on the well-being of a child.

The petitioners urged the High Court to pass directions to the authorities to take cognisance of the alleged incident under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and also ensure that the identity of the child was retracted from news portals.

The High Court, however, said the PIL could not be entertained and the incident was “not premeditated”.

“The court has seen the video and finds that it happened in full public glare. The court finds it was the minor who expressed his desire and intent to meet and hug Respondent no. 4 [the Dalai Lama],” the High Court said.