Set Up POCSO Courts in Districts With Over 100 Cases: SC to Centre

The SC has directed the Centre to set up special courts for cases under POCSO acts in such districts within 60 days.

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The Supreme Court, on Thursday, 25 July, issued directions for setting up of centrally-funded exclusive courts in districts where more than 100 cases have been filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose, directed the Centre to set up these courts within 60 days.

It said the Centre would have to appoint trained, sensitised prosecutors and support persons to deal with the POCSO cases.

The bench also directed the chief secretaries of states and union territories to ensure timely submission of forensic reports in such cases.

It asked the Centre to apprise it about the status of compliance of the order in 30 days and to make the money available for setting up of POCSO courts and appointment of prosecutors and others.

The top court noted that collection of further nationwide data on child rape cases would delay implementation of POCSO law.

It said the suggestion of Amicus Curiae V Giri to set up a forensic lab in each district for expeditious disposal of POCSO cases can wait, and added that in the meantime, the state governments can ensure timely submission of such reports for expeditious conclusion of trial.

The court has put up the matter for further hearing on 26 September.

(Edited for clarity)