IN RE : ALARMING RISE IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CHILD RAPE INCIDENTS Vs. IN RE : ALARMING RISE IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CHILD RAPE INCIDENTS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Court vide the order dtd. 12/7/2019 had directed the Registry to register a Suo Moto Writ Petition under the caption "In Re Alarming rise in the number of reported child rape incidents," and requested the Learned Senior Counsel Mr. V. Giri to assist the Court in formulating the directions that may be required to be issued. The said cognizance was taken by the Court in view of the various news reports with regard to the increase of child rape cases in India. Accordingly, the Court after hearing the Learned Amicus Curiae Mr. V. Giri, the Solicitor General Mr. Tushar Mehta and the Registrar Mr. Rathi, on the timely completion of investigations and consequential Trials of the offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) gave certain directions vide the Order dtd. 25/7/2019. The said directions are reproduced hereinbelow: -

(2.) Subsequently, various directions came be to issued from time to time calling upon the States and the Registrar Generals of all High Courts to furnish the information mentioned in the said Order. On 13/11/2019, the Registrar of Supreme Court submitted a Report detailing percentage share of different types of POCSO offences, upon which the Court directed the State Governments and Union of India to do the needful to ensure that all stages of investigation as well as of the Trials, as contemplated under the POCSO Act, are complied within the timeframe. The Court also directed the Union of India and the State Governments to take steps for sensitization of officials associated with the investigation and also for creation or assignment of dedicated Courts to try POCSO Cases on top priority.

(3.) With regard to setting up of exclusive POCSO Courts in the country, this Court noticing that there were large number of POCSO Cases pending throughout the country laid down the parameters to be followed and gave directions for setting up exclusive POCSO Courts in each State. The Court laid down separate criteria for the States of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal where the pendency of POCSO Cases was extremely high, vide the Order dtd. 16/12/2019. The Court had also expressed its desire to consider the issue of framing National scheme for payment of compensation to the victims of offences under the POCSO Act.