Jammu tops the list of pending cases registered under the POSCO Act

The year 2002 alone saw as many as 278 new cases under POCSO reaching the courts while only 72 cases were disposed off

February 9, 2023

In sexual abuse against children, Jammu is ahead of all districts in UT of J&K

SMART City Jammu, popularly known as the city of temples, has earned a notorious distinction of figuring at the top when it comes to recording the highest number of cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

According to official sources, out of a total number of 859 cases which are registered/ pending across the Union Territories of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, the highest number of 168 cases registered alone in the Jammu district.

The records also revealed that out of 22 districts in the region, which included Leh In Jammu, Srinagar, Anantnag, Udhampur, and Budgam districts, more than 52% of cases under the POSCO Act have been registered. Only four cases have been registered in Leh and only one case in the Kargil district.

An amount to the tune of Rs.1.33 crore was also disbursed to the child victims during the year 2022.

Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan, who is also Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, while taking stock of the disposal of cases and award of compensation to the POCSO victims during the year 2022, has directed the Judicial officers dealing with such cases to ensure strict compliance to the timeline fixed under the Act.

Chairing a meeting through virtual mode with special judges, designated under the POCSO Act, Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan, has directed the concerned judges to expedite the disposal of cases to extend timely relief to the victims.

According to official sources, a total of 278 cases were registered under the POSCO Act in 2022, bringing the total number of pending cases to 931.

The data revealed a total number of 72 cases were disposed off during 2022 as a result of which there was a pendency of 859 cases as on December 31, 2022.

Records further revealed after Jammu, the highest number of 87 cases have been registered under the POSCO Act in Anantnag followed by 77 cases in the Srinagar district. Udhampur with 69 cases and Budgam with 53 cases figured at number four and five positions.

The district-wise breakup of cases pending under the POSCO Act

Kashmir Division

A total number of 77 cases were pending in the Srinagar district as on December 31, 2022, 34 in Ganderbal, 87 in Anantnag, 37 in Kulgam, 21 in Shopian, 32 in Pulwama, 47 in Baramulla, 17 in Bandipora, 53 in Budgam, 6 in Kupwara.

Jammu Division

168 in Jammu, 30 in Samba, 38 in Kathua, 20 in Poonch, 17 in Rajouri, 26 in Bhaderwah, 20 in Ramban, 14 in Kishtwar, 69 in Udhampur, 41 in Reasi, 4 in Leh, and one in Kargil.

During the year 2022, compensation was provided only in respect of 33 cases while no victim compensation was awarded in 177 cases.

Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.

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