New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a public interest litigation concerning an incident where the Dalai Lama was filmed allegedly molesting a boy, stating that the religious leader was engaging in playful behaviour and had already apologised for the incident. The viral video clip showed the Dalai Lama kissing the boy on the lips and asking him to ‘suck his tongue’, which sparked widespread controversy on social media.

The petitioner, 'Confederation of NGOs', had urged the court to direct authorities to take action under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and to safeguard the child's identity from media exposure.

A bench led by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan ruled that the PIL could not be entertained, emphasising that 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 court said.

“If the video is seen in overall perspective, it can be seen that respondent no. 4 was being playful and trying to humour the child. It is to be seen in the context of the Tibetan culture. The fact that he is the head of a religious sect which is not on the best terms with a foreign power is also to be borne in mind while dealing with such petitions.”

"The court finds that the respondent no. 4 has already expressed an apology to those who may have been hurt,” the bench, also comprising Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, said.

If someone is aggrieved, they can take appropriate legal action, the court said.

The petitioner's counsel claimed that while she was not trying to "bring the Holiness under the scanner", the authorities should have issued a statement after taking note of the incident.

Stating that parents, who are “mesmerised” by religious leaders, often take their children along, the petitioner prayed for a direction to “audit” all religious places, ashrams, retreats etc.

It was also contended that failure to take action could normalise the act of kissing minors on the lips. In response, the court commented that the government would review the matter and noted that there was no substantial public interest in the case.

“There are gurus who kick people. We have seen that also. We can't get into all this. Next someone will say they got a bad handshake.. Give it a quietus. This is not a case to carry on like this,” the court said.

“The present matter should not be entertained as public interest and the same is dismissed,” it ordered. 

PTI