The Supreme Court judge was referring to the Central government’s proposal to set up nearly 400 new fast track POCSO Courts to tackle the pendency of nearly 2.26 lakh cases throughout the country.
She cautioned that while the move was welcome, it was futile unless complemented with appointments of more judges, and with training and sensitization of judges, public prosecutors and police personnel.
“The central government has suggested a remedy to this situation by increasing the number of fast track courts and I think they are about nearly 400 of them to hear and dispose of matters relating to child sexual abuse. While this is certainly a welcome move, I must caution that setting up fast track courts alone would be futile unless such measures are complemented with the appointments of more judges to try offences under the act and by training and sensitisation of judges, public prosecutors, police personnel,” she said.
Justice Nagarathna was speaking at the inaugural session of the 2-day national consultation on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Earlier, Union Minister Smriti Irani had said that 300 of 1,000 fast track courts established by the government in country are for POCSO cases.
On the significance of prevention of re-traumatisation and of mental health support to children, Justice Nagarathna said,
“The role of experts when coupled with a child centric legal process could help a child trek through the emotionally adverse path of recovery, following abuse.”
Source: Barandbench
