New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Centre to set up on “top priority basis” dedicated POCSO courts to exclusively deal with cases of sexual offences against children.
A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and P B Varale said due to the inadequacy of the number of exclusive courts for the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act cases, the timelines mandated under the law for completion of trials weren’t adhered to.
“It is therefore expected that the union of India and the state governments shall take appropriate steps to sensitise the officials associated with the investigation of POCSO cases, and also to create dedicated courts to try POCSO cases on a top priority basis,” the bench said.
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.
