In the present case, the Court observed that the trial was so slow that the victim’s statement came to be recorded after five years from the filing of the case.
The pace of the trial was defeating the purpose of the Act, the Court said.
“The manner in which the Special Courts are proceeding with the POCSO trial, dealing with the offenders under the Special Statute, enacted with a specific avowed purpose, to prevent exploitation of minor/children and punish the offenders itself is being defeated by the procedure that is adopted by the Special Courts,” the Court said.
Justice Dangre also was apprised that the special courts were also being assigned with other court cases.
“At the instructions of the Investigating Officer, who attend the POCSO cases in Dindoshi Court, the learned APP state that only one Court is a Special Court for trying the offences under the POCSO Act, 2012, whereas other Courts which are assigned with POCSO cases are also required to take some other assignment. This is a disturbing feature and it’s veracity has to be first ascertained,” the Judge noted while adjourning the case for hearing on July 4.
[Read Order]
Source: Barandbench
