Pendency of over 4,000 POCSO cases worries HC

Expressing concern over number of the pending cases of sexual offences against children, the Delhi high court said that it is a serious issue and needs to be looked at in a time-bound manner. Over 4,000 cases of sexual offences against children are pending in trial courts in the national capital. “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 that 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.

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. Mr 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.