Charge-sheeting increases, but cases pendency remains high; conviction low
Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 10
Registrations of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012 in Nagaland nearly tripled from 2020 to 2021, however there were relatively high pendency of cases, informed data provided in the Lok Sabha on December 9.
Cases registrations under POCSO Act 2021 increased from 12 in 2019 to 31 in 2021, indicating a 158.33% rise, as per the data given by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, citing National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data. There were 18 registrations in 2020. Out of 31 registrations, the number of Cases Charge-sheeted (CCS) was 30 in 2021.
Likewise, the number of persons arrested under POCSO Act also nearly tripled in the last three years – increasing from 14 in 2019 to 39 in 2021 or a 178.57% rise.
The number of Persons Charge-sheeted (PCS) under the Act also increased from 13 in 2019 to 36 in 2021.
While most cases were sent for trials, the data further informed that conviction rate was very low.
For instance, a total of 30 cases were sent for trials in 2021, but the conviction stood just at 4. Convictions in 2019 and 2020 respectively were mere 1 and 6.
Consequently, cases pending trial at the end of year were high for all three years at 61, 69, and 94 respectively in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Across India, at total of 51863 cases were registered under the POCSO Act in 2021, leading to arrest of 63992 persons. A total of 6080 persons were convicted under the Act in 2021. (See Table)
Meanwhile, the WCD Minister Zubin Irani informed in the written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha that the Government of India is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme since October 2019 for setting up of 1023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) including 389 exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) courts for expeditious trial and disposal of cases related to rape and POCSO Act.
The Scheme has been extended up to March 31, 2023 and a total of 681and FTSCs including 381 e-POCSO Courts are presently functional in 27 States or Union Territories, she said.
In a related query on why majority of child sexual abuse cases ending in acquittal, the Minister informed that the ‘reasons for majority of child sexual abuse cases ending in acquittal are not maintained separately by NCRB, MHA.’
The POCSO Act2012 was enacted by providing safeguards for children against sexual abuse and was amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators & prevent such crimes against children, the Minister informed.
Section 43 of the POCSO Act, 2012 provides that the Central Government and every State Government shall take all measures to give wide publicity to the provisions of the Act, she said.
Further, the WCD notified new POCSO Rules, 2020 replacing the previous POCSO Rules, 2012 stipulating that the “central government and every state government shall prepare age-appropriate educational material and curriculum for children, informing them about various aspects of personal safety.”
The Rules stated that suitable material and information may be disseminated by the respective Governments in all public places and also in suitable form in virtual spaces such as internet and social media, she added.
