In a step to ensure quick justice for survivors of child sexual abuse, Karnataka Home Minister, Dr G Parameshwara, on Monday said that advocates must be trained to dispose Protection Of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) cases speedily.
“It would be ideal to provide training to all the district advocates by senior advocates to equip them with technical know-how in order to skilfully dispose cases filed under POCSO Act,” Parameshwara suggested while speaking at a meeting with special public prosecutors handling POCSO cases in all districts, at the Vidhana Soudha, on Monday.
Parameshwara also stated that district advocates are struggling to solve matters under POCSO Act and, hence, it would be only appropriate to train them in the presence of senior advocates and judges.
“The POCSO Act has been implemented to control atrocities against children. But the fear in the accused has reduced, as these cases registered under POCSO have remained pending. There is a surge in these cases. What are the reasons for the delay in these cases? Is there a delay in collecting evidence? If so, bring it to my notice. No case must be kept pending due to minor reasons. In case of lack of police cooperation, it must be brought to the DGP’s notice,” he added.
He instructed the prosecutors to review the pending cases within the next 15 days and then take up the other cases.
The Home Minister also advised the Director General of Karnataka Police Neelamani Raju to take up the cause of fighting against drug abuse on war footing.
In a programme organised at NIMHANS in Bengaluru, Parameshwara advised the state police to enlist the help of educational institutions, including schools and colleges, to create awareness about drug abuse.
“If you observe, drug distribution is happening near colleges. People open up stalls outside colleges and sell drugs to students. This problem has to be nipped in the bud. The youth must be counselled against the use of drugs,” he said.