Ministry of Women And Child Development

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 640
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.04.2016
Court trial for child victims of sexual abuse

640. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has taken cognizance of the fact that an RTI reply filed in April, 2015 reveals that the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 (POCSO) cases are being tried alongside TADA cases in district courts;

(b) if so, whether Government believes that this prevents child victims of sexual abuse from availing of a child friendly atmosphere in courts, a requirement under the POCSO Act; and

(c) if so, the steps being taken by Government to ensure that POCSO cases are tried in a child friendly atmosphere?

Answer
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) to (c) As reported by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), no RTI application has been replied by them and also they have no information that Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 (POCSO) cases are being tried alongside TADA cases in district courts. Further, 605 Special Courts under POCSO Act have been established till March 2015.