More courts for minor abuse cases

To expedite trial in cases related to crime against minors, the Haryana government has designated all the courts of sessions judges and additional sessions judges in each district as children’s courts.

To expedite trial in cases related to crime against minors, the Haryana government has designated all the courts of sessions judges and additional sessions judges in each district as children’s courts.

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The government, however, excluded the courts of additional sessions judges (ad-hoc) and fast track courts have not been included from the new classification.

Sumita Misra, director general, Women and Child Development Department, said on Tuesday that the measure will ensure speedy trial of cases related to offences against children and violations of child rights under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

Under section 28 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, special courts under the relevant section of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, shall also be special courts under the POCSO Act, 2012 to hear such cases, she added.

The Act ensures a child-friendly judicial process. It encourages the minor victims of sexual abuse to bring the offender to book and get assistance in overcoming their trauma.

The state government is also implementing the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) under which various programmes for children in need of care and protection and for juveniles in conflict with law are being covered.