Context:
In March 2024, the Sadashivanagar police booked Mr. Yediyurappa under POCSO Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl on February 2, 2024, at his residence. The case was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which chargesheeted Mr. Yediyurappa.
The POCSO Act
The POCSO Act was enacted on 14th November 2012, addressing offenses of sexual exploitation and abuse of children in India.
- Definition
- The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years and provides punishment based on the gravity of the offense.
- Ammendment
- This Act was read and amended in 2019 to introduce higher punishment, the death penalty to be precise to crimes of sexual violations against children.
- The government of India notified the POCSO Rules of 2020.
- Features
- There are some highlighted features, the Gender Neutrality, Easy cases reporting, Strict definition of all terms, also the support provider for the child.
- Under the POCSO Rules 2020, the Special Court can also pass an order for interim compensation for the child’s relief or rehabilitation needs pertaining to the period from the filing of the FIR.
- Courts Status
- On May 31, 2023, a total of 758 FTSCs with 412 e-POCSO Courts are operational across the country in 29 States/UTs.
Problems and Challenges under the POCSO Act:
- Investigation Issue:
- There is a very low percentage of women in the police force, lapses in the investigation, no examination by judicial magistrates, issue of age determination, delays in the filing of charges, and no conditions to prove recent intercourse.
UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)
Q. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation. (2016)
