SUPREME COURT ISSUES DIRECTIONS FOR THE BETTER IMPLEMENTATION OF POCSO ACT

A three judges bench of Supreme Court issued following directions for better implementation of POCSO Act

• The High Courts shall ensure that the cases registered under the POCSO Act are tried and disposed off by special courts in compliance with the provisions of the Act

• Such “special courts”, as envisaged under the POCSO Act, may be assigned the duty to deal with cases under the Act

• Instructions shall be issued to the “special courts” to fast-track the disposal of matters by not granting any unnecessary adjournments and following the procedure under the Act of 2012

 • The High Courts shall constitute a committee of an appropriate number of judges to monitor the progress of trial under the Act

 • The Director General of Police of the states shall constitute a Special Task Force to assist in investigation and the production of witnesses before the trial courts on the due date

 • Efforts shall be made by the High Courts to provide child friendly courts in accordance with the spirit of the POCSO Act.

WRIT PETITION (C) No.76 OF 2018

ALAKH ALOK SRIVASTAVA      VERSUS UNION OF INDIA & ORS. SC decided on  1-5-2018