23-Year-Old Man With 'Peter Pan Syndrome' Gets Bail In Minor's Sexual Abuse Case

A 23-year-old man, who claims to suffer from 'Peter Pan Syndrome,' has been granted bail by a court in India in connection with a case of kidnapping and sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl.

The accused was arrested and charged in April after the girl's parents filed a complaint with the police in Mumbai, NDTV reported.

However, when the accused was produced before the special court Tuesday for his bail plea hearing, his lawyer came up with a unique argument. According to defense lawyer Sunil Pandey, his client suffers from the "Peter Pan Syndrome," a term used by some psychologists to suggest social immaturity in grown men and women.

Though the condition is not officially recognized as a disorder by the WHO, many psychologists attest to Peter Pan Syndrome. Those with these traits are emotionally immature and tend to avoid the personal and professional responsibilities of adulthood. The condition is named after the fictional character of Peter Pan, a carefree young boy who never grows up.

Pandey argued that his client's illness was known to the victim's family, reported The Hindustan Times. "The victim's family knew about their relationship. But, her family didn't like their relationship due to the boy's illness and poor background and also had a grudge against his family members," Pandey told the court.

He added that the relationship was consensual and the victim "had knowledge of what she was doing and got involved in the relationship voluntarily."

However, public prosecutor Veena Shelar opposed the plea. The prosecutor argued that there is no material on record about the illness of the accused. Shelar claimed the medical examination of the man showed no signs of abnormality and that the defense had no medical papers to support the 'Peter Pan Syndrome' claim.

However, the court granted the accused bail. "The family members of the victim were aware of their relationship. The applicant and the victim got married and lived together as husband and wife. It is further submitted that the applicant is suffering from Peter Pan Syndrome," the court observed.

The court added that his detention "will serve no purpose as the probe into the matter is completed and nothing has to be recovered from him."