HCs told to form panel to monitor Pocso cases

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked all high courts to form a three-judge committee to monitor the trial in cases of sexual assaults of children pending before the special courts under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (Pocso) Act.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud directed for fast-tracking of such cases pending before the special courts by instructing them to ensure no unnecessary adjournments were granted, delaying the proceedings.

The court also directed Directors General of Police of all states to set up special task forces to carry out investigation within the stipulated time and to ensure that the witnesses were produced before the trial court on the fixed dates.

“The high courts of all the states would see that the cases registered under the Pocso Act, as prescribed under the Act, are heard and decided by special courts,” the bench stated.

The court also directed the proceedings before the special courts should be conducted in “child-friendly” atmosphere.

Advocate’s PIL

The court passed its directions by disposing of a PIL filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava for bringing in punishment to deal with sexual assault against children.

Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand submitted that the government passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 bringing in changes into Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Pocso Act.