State PCS - Haryana (HCS)

• 30 Apr 2025

POCSO Fast Track Courts in Haryana

Why in News? 

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Haryana to notify four Fast Track Special Courts in Faridabad, Panchkula, and Gurugram within two months for effective POCSO Act implementation. 

 Key Points 

• Creation of Additional Courts: 
  • The directive came during the hearing of a petition seeking the creation of additional courts to deal with offences under the POCSO Act. 
  • The petition also sought implementation of the Supreme Court's guidelines issued in the suo motu case “Re: Alarming Rise in the Number of Reported Child Rape Incidents – Suo Motu Writ Petition (Criminal) No.1 of 2019.” 
  • According to the Solicitor-General of India, the Union Government had allocated Rs 200 crore for setting up and running Fast Track and POCSO courts across the country. 
• About the POCSO Act: 
  • About: The law aims to address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children. The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years.  
    • It was enacted in consequence to India’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.  
  • Features:  
    • Gender-Neutral Nature: The Act recognises that both girls and boys can be victims of sexual abuse and that such abuse is a crime regardless of the gender of the victim.  
    • Confidentiality of Victim’s Identity: Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012 mandates that the identity of child victims must be kept confidential. Media reports cannot disclose any details that could reveal the victim’s identity, including their name, address, and family information.   
    • Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Cases: Sections 19 to 22 compel individuals who have knowledge or reasonable suspicion of such offenses to report them to concerned authorities. 

 Solicitor General of India (SGI) 

• Second highest law officer after the Attorney General of India. 
• Not a constitutional post; governed by statutory rules. 
• Headquarters in New Delhi, as per Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987. 
• Appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by the PM. 
• Tenure is three years; reappointment possible for up to three more years. 
• Duties include advising the government, appearing in courts, and handling Article 143 references. 
• Cannot appear against the government or defend criminal accused without permission. 
• Cannot advise PSUs or ministries directly; must go through the Department of Legal Affairs. 
• Barred from private practice except for specified public or government-controlled entities. 
• May not hold corporate positions without prior government approval.