A whopping 4,000-plus cases of sexual offences against children are pending in trial courts in the national capital.
This evoked sharp reaction from the Delhi High Court today which termed it as a "serious and important issue" that has to be considered in a time-bound manner.
"We have to consider this as far as data (of Delhi State Legal Service Authority) is concerned. We have to look into it (pending cases)," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said.
It said the plea seeking time-bound trial and disposal of cases relating to such offences against children was an important issue.
The court's observation came during the hearing of a plea by NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), which informed the court that as per Delhi State Legal Service Authority (DSLSA) 4,274 such cases were pending in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) courts here.
BBA, represented by senior advocate H S Phoolka, said as on July 31, there were 4,274 cases pending in 11 POCSO courts across Delhi which may take 10 years to be dispose of.
Phoolka also submitted that only 449 cases have been disposed of, as the 11 POCSO courts set up to try only cases related to children, were also dealing with other matters.
"These are not exclusive courts, they have other matters to look into," Phoolka submitted.
To this, the court said the high court will have to hear the issue relating to setting up of special courts. The court listed the matter for October 5.
The NGO has saud that despite the introduction of POCSO Act, "there has been an incessant delay in the investigation, trial and adjudication of cases in courts in Delhi." This was despite consistent directions by the Supreme Court regarding swift police investigation, followed by time bound trial in cases involving sexual offences.
"A perusal of statistics released in 2014 by NCRB for cases involving the POCSO Act, elucidates grave delays not only in investigations by Delhi police but also in criminal trials by courts," the counsel has contended.
The police has lodged 5,217 cases of sexual offences perpetrated on children between 2012 and 2015. They had also said that around 3,191 cases registered between 2012 and 2015 under POCSO Act are pending trial in various courts of Delhi.
The NGO, which campaigns for rights of children, has also sought a direction to the police "to adhere to a time bound investigation within three months" in cases of sexual offences, rape or sexual assault against children.
It has sought direction to the courts subordinate to the High Court to complete the trial in a time bound manner.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
