Indore: Parents Sentenced to Seven Years for Limiting Children's Screen Time, High Court Grants Interim Stay

In Indore controversy has emerged as parents face a seven-year jail sentence for restricting their children's access to television and phones. The case came to light when a 21-year-old woman and an eight-year-old boy filed a complaint against their parents at the local police station. Following the complaint, an FIR was registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), leading to the parents' conviction.

The police have filed charges under sections 342, 294, 323, 506 of the IPC, and the Juvenile Justice Act, with penalties ranging from one to seven years in prison. The incident occurred near the Chandannagar police station. The parents have contested the case in the High Court, which has issued an interim stay on the proceedings in the district court following a hearing.

Advocate Dharmendra Chaudhary, in the petition, claimed that the parents frequently yelled at their children for excessive use of mobile phones and television. The children have also accused their parents of assault. Following the FIR, the children are now residing with their aunts, and a dispute has arisen between the parents and the aunt.

Legal Sections and Punishments in Indore Case

Section 342: Holding someone hostage

Punishment: Imprisonment for up to one year, a fine, or both.

Section 294: Making obscene statements or using obscene language

Punishment: Imprisonment for up to three months, a fine, or both.

Section 323: Causing hurt to any person
Punishment: Imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine, or both.

The parents have contested the potential punishment under this section, and the matter remains pending before the court.