Expedite Process To Establish Fast Track POCSO Court Within 2 Months: Punjab & Haryana HC Directs Haryana Govt

The Punjab & Haryana High directed the Haryana Government to expedite the process of of establishing fastrack Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO Act) Court within the period of three months.Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel said, "to expedite the process of establishment of Fast Track Special Courts under POCSO Act, the State of Haryana is directed to expedite the process especially for issuing relevant necessary notification in this regard, within a period of two months."The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed seeking direction to establish more Courts to deal with offences punishable under the POCSO Act, 2012, and to comply with the guidelines laid down by the Apex Court in the case of 'RE Alarming Rise in the number of reported Child Rape Incidents [Suo Motu CWP (Crl.) No.1 of 2019].During the argument the counsel appearing for the High Court informed that on April 21 the High Court has recommended establishment of two Fast Track Special Courts under POCSO Act at Faridabad, one at Panchkula and one at Gurugram.It was further informed that the said recommendations have been sent to the Haryana Government.Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India highlighted that an amount of Rs. 200 crores has been allocated by the Central Government for functioning of Fast Track Courts as well as POCSO Courts in different States.The Central Government in its reply also revealed that the establishment as well as designation of Special Courts under POCSO Act lies within the domain of the State Government.In the light of the above, the Court opined that, "for the time being, the grievances raised by the petitioners have been answered satisfactorily."Mr. Shikhar Goel, Advocate (Through VC), Mr. Abhimanu Jangra, Advocate and Mr. Soeb Khan, Advocate, for the petitionerMs. Ashima Mor, Advocate (Through VC) and Mr. Gyan Parkash Saini, Advocate, for respondent no.1-HCMr. Naveen S. Bhardwaj, Addl. AG, HaryanaMr. Satya Pal Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India with Ms. Krishna Dayama, Senior Panel Counsel for UOITitle: Anshul and others v. Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh and othersClick here to read/download the order

Expedite Process To Establish Fast Track POCSO Court Within 2 Months: Punjab & Haryana HC Directs Haryana Govt

Aiman J. Chishti

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