Supreme Court Directs HC Registrars To Give The Details Of District Wise Pendency Of POCSO Cases

The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and Justice A. M. Khanwilkar on Monday directed the Registrars General of all High Courts to give intimation to the registry of the apex court of the district wise pendency of the cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012, along with the status.The bench was hearing a PIL instituted. The Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and Justice A. M. Khanwilkar on Monday directed the Registrars General of all High Courts to give intimation to the registry of the apex court of the district wise pendency of the cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012, along with the status. ASG Pinky Anand submitted before the bench that the POCSO Act, in its section 35, envisages the disposal of cases within year of the date of cognizance.Further, The ASG assured the bench that based on statistics of the petitioner, the Centre is also deliberating on suggestions.At the previous hearing, the bench had directed The petitioner in-person to file a chart containing data with regard to the cases pending at various places so that this Court can take a holistic view of the matter. The apex court had also directed the Additional Solicitors General to apprise this Court as to what should be the appropriate time limit for the disposal of the cases under the POCSO Act regard being had to the various degrees of offences provided under the Act and the gravity of the offences, for the victim is a child.The bench on Monday observed that many cases are pending under the Act of 2012 and that statutory timeline is not being followed.At the commencement of the hearing, Chief Justice Misra inquired about the health of the infant and was informed that she was discharged from AIIMS, New Delhi on February 14 and that another surgery is scheduled for April 17.