Despite Fast-Track Courts, Over 2.43 Lakh POCSO Cases Pending In India

India needs at least 9 years to clear all the backlog of cases reported under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. According to a recent report by the India Child Protection Fund (ICPF), titled ‘Justice Awaits: An Analysis of the Efficacy of Justice Delivery Mechanisms in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse in India, only 3 per cent of the cases under the POCSO Act have resulted in a conviction. Over 2.43 lakh cases are pending at the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) as of January 31 2023. 

According to the report, Delhi alone needs 27 years to clear POCSO backlog cases. As of January 2023, 9,108 cases are pending. Even if no more cases are added, it will take 27 years for Delhi to clear this backlog. 

The situation of other states

On the other hand, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar also need 25 to 30 ears to clear the backlog of cases filed under the POCSO Act. Meghalaya needs 21 years to dispose of the backlog. 

In Maharashtra, a child might have to wait till 2036 to get justice under the POCSO Act. By January 2023, the state had 33,073 cases pending in fast-track court. In Andhra Pradesh, a complainant might have to wait till 2034 to seek justice as there are 8,137 cases of the POCSO Act pending. The corresponding data for the states Rajasthan and Jharkhand was also abysmal with 8,921 and 4,408 cases pending in the respective states. 

On the other hand, Karnataka and Goa are the two states with the least number of backlog cases. Karnataka has 919 and Goa has 62 cases pending. A complainant might get justice by the year 2024 in these states. 

The reason behind the huge backlog

What is the reason behind this backlog? The fast-track courts set up by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to deal exclusively with POCSO cases are only clearing 28 cases on average every year. They are falling short of the target of disposing of 165 cases every year, with 41-42 cases a quarter. The report suggested disappointment that even though three years have passed since the establishment of the fast-track courts, the target has not been achieved.