Kathmandu, May 18 -- The government is preparing to amend the country's criminal laws to reduce punishment in cases involving consensual physical relationships between teenagers of similar ages, following growing concerns that existing laws are criminalising adolescent relationships and sending young people to prison for years.

The proposal emerged after an eight-member study task force formed by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs recommended introducing a 'Romeo and Juliet' provision-which exempts consensual relationships between teenagers close in age from rape charges-into the National Criminal Code. The committee was led by Law Secretary Parashwar Dhungana and the representatives from the Supreme Court, Office of ...