1,900 new posts in 10 fast-track courts trying sexual offences

The State government has decided to create 1,900 posts for 10 fast-track courts set up recently to ensure speedy trial of cases of sexual offences against women, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, he said though the Karnataka High Court has identified principal district judge courts in 10 places as fast-track courts, they could not function effectively in the absence of supporting staff.

 Hence, the government has decided to accord sanction for creating 1,900 posts on priority, he added.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has agreed to accord the sanction. The High Court will be informed about the decision soon after an official order comes out. The High Court will conduct recruitments in this regard. “Once it is done, there will not be delay in trial of cases pertaining to sexual offences in the State,” he stated.

He said the government has also decided to appoint special public prosecutors in all these courts.

 One more court under Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act will be set up in Bangalore. Currently, 1,054 cases and 833 cases have been registered under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 356 and the POCSO Act respectively in the State. Bangalore has reported 231 cases under POCSO Act and 108 cases under IPC Section 356, the minister said.

Steps were also being taken to provide training to special public prosecutors from the judicial academy on handling cases under POCSO Act, the minister said.

The Law minister warned private school management against refusing to comply with the recent guidelines issued by the government to ensure safety of children on the school premises in the wake of the alleged rape of a minor at Vibgyor High.

“It is none of their (private school managements) business to tell us (the government) to first implement the guidelines in the government schools. It is an order by law and they have to comply with the guidelines,” he said in reply to a question about private school managements reportedly refusing to follow the guidelines.

The guidelines have been framed strictly as per the provisions of the POCSO Act. The government will not hesitate to take action against schools as per the Act if managements refuse to comply, Jayachandra warned.