SC asks Centre to set up Special Courts in 60 days for POSCO cases

The Supreme Court yesterday asked the Centre to set up courts within 60 days and appoint sensitised prosecutors to deal with sexual assault cases against children.

The court directed the setting up of Centrally-funded exclusive court in districts with over 100 cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose, said the Centre would have to appoint trained, sensitised prosecutors and support



persons to deal with the POCSO cases.

The bench also directed the chief secretaries of states and union territories to ensure timely submission of forensic reports in such cases.

The court asked the Centre to apprise it about the status of compliance of the order in 30 days and to make the money available for setting up of POCSO courts, appointment of prosecutors and others.

The matter has been put up for further hearing on September 26th.