Lok Sabha Question No. 821 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-07
Subject: POCSO Courts
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 821 ANSWERED ON -07/02/2025

## POCSO COURTS

## 821. SHRI S. JAGATHRATCHAKAN :

Will the Minister of LAWANDJUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of POCSO courts currently operational in the country, specifically in Tamil Nadu, and the total number of cases disposed of by these courts since its inception till date;

(b) the percentage of cases disposed of within the prescribed time limits set by law and the measures taken by the Government to ensure timely disposal of cases in these courts;

(c) the number of fast-track courts dedicated to specifically handle POCSO cases in the State of Tamil Nadu;

(d) whether the Government has any plan to increase this number in response to the current case backlog, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the number of staff and Judicial Officers currently employed in these courts and the details regarding specific challenges these courts are facing in terms of resources, staff, or procedural delays?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) to (e): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts for expeditious disposal of Rape and POCSO Act cases came to be introduced in October, 2019, following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and the order of Hon'ble Supreme Court [Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019]. The Scheme has been extended twice, with the latest extension up to 31 st March 2026, targeting the establishment of 790 courts. As per the inputs received from the High Courts, as on 31.12.2024, 747 FTSCs including 406 exclusive POCSO Courts (e-POCSO) are functional in 30 States/UTs. These courts have disposed of around3,00,000 cases of Rape and POCSO Act as of 31.12.2024. Concerted efforts are being made, in coordination with the State/UT Governments and respective High Courts, to expedite the operationalisation of the remaining sanctioned FTSCs at the earliest.

Against the initial mandate of setting up 389 e-POCSO courts, 406 e-POCSO Courts have been made functional across the country. These courts have disposed of more than 1,91,000 cases since the inception of the Scheme. In Tamil Nadu, 14 e-POCSO Courtsare functional as on 31.12.2024 which have disposed of more than 8890 cases since the inception of the Scheme.

Disposal of pending cases in courts falls under the purview of the judiciary, with individual courts functioning under the administrative control of the respective High Courts . However, to facilitate efficient implementation of the Fast Track Special Courts Scheme and ensure adherence to prescribed timelines for case disposal, the Central Government has undertaken multiple measures including conducting regular review meetings through Video Conferencing with State Governments and High Court officials to monitor the progress and address implementation challenges. Additionally, communications have been issued at the level of the Hon'ble Minister of Law & Justice to the Hon'ble Chief Ministers of States/UTs and Hon'ble Chief Justices of High Courts, emphasizing the need for strict compliance with the timelines prescribed under the POCSO Act and the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. For better monitoring and data-driven decision-making, a dedicated dashboard has been developed to track the performance of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) and ensure systematic data collection. Furthermore, the performance of FTSCs remains a key agenda item in Inter-State Zonal Council meetings to enhance inter-governmental coordination and expedite case disposal.

As per the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Guidelines, each FTSC is mandated to have oneJudicial Officer and seven support staff members, all of whom are dedicated exclusively to the disposal of Rape and POCSO Act cases. The appointment of Judicial Officers and support staff, along with the necessary arrangements for the functioning of these courts, is not in the purview of the Central Government.

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