Latest news with #Pocso)Act
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Indian Express
98% Pocso cases pending in over 5 years disposed of by Delhi courts: High Court data
Lower courts in the national capital have disposed of 508 of the 519 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, which had been pending for over five years, according to data recently published by the Delhi High Court. Published on July 25, the report 'District Wise Pendency And Disposal Of 5 Year And Above Cases Under Pocso Act' is available on the website of the Delhi High Court. The Delhi High Court data shows that 201 of the pending cases, or 39 per cent, ended in convictions, in 294 cases, or 57 per cent, the accused were acquitted, and three cases were quashed. While the East, North, Northwest, Shahdara, South, and West districts have disposed of all cases that had been pending for over five years, the Central, New Delhi, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest districts are yet to dispose of three, two, four, and one case each. A 2023 research paper by the India Child Protection Fund (ICPF) estimated that under the current pendency rates, Delhi courts would take 27 years to clear the backlog in Pocso cases. The study, titled 'Justice Awaits: An Analysis of the Efficacy of Justice Delivery Mechanisms in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse in India', pointed out that Pocso courts are disposing of just 28 cases per year on average. In light of this older data, the recent notice suggests that Delhi's courts disposed of on average 102 cases per year – 3.6 times the average of other courts in the country. On average, 650 cases are registered under exclusive Pocso courts in the capital. Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) were set up in 2019, specifically for trying cases related to sexual offences, particularly those under the Pocso Act. The primary motive behind establishing these courts was to handle these cases exclusively, aiming to expedite their trials within one year. Currently, there are more than 1,000 such courts in the country. A November 2022 study, A Decade of Pocso' by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, pointed out that the average time of disposal was 1,373 days or close to four years, in Pocso cases where a conviction took place in Delhi's courts.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Director General's office makes online courses mandatory for all ranks in Maharashtra Police
Chhatrapati Sambhajiagar: The office of the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra, has mandated that all police personnel — from constables and ministerial staff to senior officers — complete five specified online courses on the Govt of India's iGOT Karmayogi portal. Senior officers said directives have been issued to every police unit head to monitor and ensure compliance. The move is expected to standardise knowledge across ranks, promote accountability, and improve service delivery. A circular issued by the DGP's office directs all police unit heads and branch in-charges to ensure that 100% of the officers and personnel under their command register on the portal and successfully complete the courses assigned to their respective ranks within the stipulated times. "The courses are very easy to understand, and the police personnel can complete these courses even by accessing them through their mobile phones," said a senior police officer. The initiative is part of the ongoing push to modernise policing skills and enhance administrative efficiency through digital training. The curated list of courses has been developed by the Maharashtra Police Academy (MPA), Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM), and other govt training institutions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ditching these Foods will Benefit your Health Undo "The courses have been designed and vary according to the rank's duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Successful completion of these courses will ensure scaling up the police force's ability to deliver in day-to-day policing," said a senior officer from the DG office. According to the latest directive, constables, head constables, and assistant sub-inspectors (PC/HC/ASI) must complete modules such as night patrolling, staying safe in cyberspace, dos and don'ts for govt employees, and effective ways of remaining stress-free. Sub-inspector, assistant inspector, and inspector-rank officers have been assigned technical courses, including forensic science for investigation, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, interrogation techniques, murder case investigation, and night patrolling. According to the directive, deputy superintendent of police or the assistant commissioner of police and above rank officers must undergo modules on soft skills and communication skills, negotiation skills, investigation of terror cases, yoga break at the workplace, and departmental inquiry procedures. Ministerial staff are required to finish courses on basic principles of management in govt services, dos and don'ts for govt employees, stress management at the workplace, and yoga break at the workplace. Training durations range from 27 minutes to over 2 hours, with courses available in Marathi, Hindi, and English, depending on the content and target audience. Authorities clarified these are among the long list of online courses that were designed while keeping in mind the requirements of modern-day policing.
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
UP girl found semi-naked with man inside closed shop, later alleges rape
A video allegedly showing a Hindu girl in a semi-nude state inside a locked shop with a man in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh has gone viral on social media, prompting police action and widespread public attention. The incident reportedly took place on July 25 and has led to the arrest of the accused, identified as to the complaint filed by the girl, her acquaintance with Armaan began over Instagram. She had come to Iglas area in Aligarh for some personal work, during which Armaan allegedly lured her into a band shop and raped her. The shop's shutter was reportedly locked from the matter came to light when a local resident opened the shutter while recording a video. The video, showing the girl in a compromising condition, quickly spread on social media, leading to outrage and police intervention. Police confirmed that an FIR was registered based on the girl's written complaint. The girl belongs to a Scheduled Caste community and has stated her year of birth as 2007. Authorities are currently verifying her age and have initiated a medical examination. If she is confirmed to be a minor, relevant sections under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act will be added to the case."On July 25, a video surfaced on social media in which a boy and a girl were found in an objectionable condition inside a shop. Taking immediate cognisance, we registered a case at Iglas Police Station under the appropriate sections based on the girl's complaint. The accused has been arrested, and legal proceedings are underway," Circle Officer Mahesh Kumar investigation into the matter is underway.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Interfaith marriages without religious conversion illegal: Alld HC
Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court ruled that interfaith marriages without religious conversion are illegal and refused to quash criminal proceedings against a man accused of marrying a minor at an Arya Samaj temple, reports Rajesh Kumar Pandey. The Allahabad High Court directed the state home secretary to investigate how Arya Samaj temples are issuing marriage certificates without following rules and submit a compliance report. The court declined to set aside the criminal proceedings against the man who married a minor after allegedly kidnapping her. In his order dated July 24, Justice Prasant Kumar made it clear that the investigation has to be made by an officer not below the rank of deputy commissioner of police. Before passing the above directions, the court found that the applicant and the victim belong to different religions. "There is averment in the application that they have solemnized marriage in Arya Samaj Mandir at Prayagraj. However, the same could not have been done without proper conversion as per the existing law," added the court. With these observations and directives, the court dismissed the petition filed by one Sonu alias Shahnur, who had moved the court to quash summoning order dated September 12, 2024 issued against him as well as the entire proceedings of criminal case going on against him under section 363 (punishment), 366 (kidnapping a woman to compel her to marry) 376 (rape) of IPC and sections 3/4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (Pocso) Act at Nichlaul police station of Maharajganj district. During the course of hearing, the counsel for the applicant submitted that Shahnur had solemnized marriage with the victim on February 14, 2020. He further submitted that since the girl was minor, she was sent to Nari Niketan and when she became an adult, she started living with the applicant. On other hand, the government counsel submitted that the girl is minor as per her high school certificate and she could not have solemnized marriage with the applicant. He submitted that the applicant and the victim come from different religions, as such, their marriage cannot be considered valid until and unless proper conversion is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. He further submitted that the marriage certificate has been issued by Arya Samaj Mandir, which seems to be a fabricated document. In support of his arguments, the state counsel quoted an earlier order passed by this court, in which the court pointed out that certain people who claim themselves of Arya Samaj and are getting marriages solemnized illegally with mala fide intentions without even verifying the age of the couple. The court will hear the case next on August 29.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Delhi school assault: 14-year-old attacked in washroom; classmate held, parents alert police
NEW DELHI: A 14-year-old boy is alleged to have been sexually assaulted inside a school washroom in central Delhi early this week. Police have apprehended one of his classmates as the suspect. Police received a PCR call around 4.43pm on July 24 about the incident. The caller said the boy was sexually assaulted by a classmate. A team immediately left for the school, but the parents of both children themselves brought them to the police station. Counselling sessions were arranged for the survivor and his medical examination was also performed. After receiving the medico-legal certificate from the doctor, police confirmed that the boy was sexually assaulted. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi Sources said the boy was experiencing pain, and when the parents asked him, he recounted the ordeal. A police officer said a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act was registered and the classmate was apprehended. Police will also seek a report from the school about the incident. In April, a 14-year-old boy from Uttarakhand, who travelled to Delhi to participate in a national-level sports event, was allegedly assaulted sexually and filmed by a group of boys at a water sports club in northwest Delhi. In 2023, a 13-year-old Class VIII student at a govt school faced a similar assault by other students from the same institution. According to police, on average, five people were arrested daily in the city this year for the alleged sexual assault or abuse of minors, with four cases registered each day under Pocso Act. According to Delhi Police's data, till May this year, 543 cases were registered, resulting in 697 arrests. Of these, 508 cases were solved. (The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
