Kerala High Court directs state to ensure POCSO courts meet guidelines
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Vulnerable sections (SC/ST, minorities, disabled, elderly, children)· Prelims + Mains·
Judicial infrastructure and specialized training: a GS2 Social Justice and legal framework case study.
Why in news
The Kerala High Court directed the State to ensure special courts established under the POCSO Act, 2012 comply with infrastructure and staffing guidelines.
Background
The Kerala High Court Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice K.V. Jayakumar observed a lack of adequate facilities in existing POCSO courts. The court noted that the Union government is responsible for funding presiding officers, public prosecutors, and staff for these special courts.
Facts for Prelims
- Act / BillPOCSO Act: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
- FactUnion government is responsible for funding presiding officers, public prosecutors, and staff for POCSO courts
- BodyJudicial Academies: Tasked with developing special training programs for POCSO court prosecutors
- FactTraining for prosecutors must cover law, child psychology, behavior, and health
Prelims practice question
With reference to the implementation of the POCSO Act, consider the following statements:
- The Kerala High Court ruled that state governments are solely responsible for funding all POCSO court staff.
- The Union government is responsible for funding the staff and presiding officers of POCSO courts.
- Judicial Academies are tasked with developing special training programs for POCSO court prosecutors.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)2 only
- (c)2 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: The Union government is responsible for funding presiding officers, public prosecutors, and staff.
For Mains
Q. Examine the institutional and infrastructural challenges in implementing the POCSO Act and suggest measures to ensure a child-centric judicial process.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Infrastructure deficit: Lack of specialized facilities and adequate space for child-friendly judicial proceedings
- Human resource gap: Shortage of exclusive public prosecutors and specialized training in child psychology
- Funding friction: Coordination required between Union funding responsibilities and State-level infrastructure provision
Keywords: Child-centric justice · Institutional infrastructure · Specialized training · Judicial accountability · POCSO Act implementation
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