SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: In a bid to expedite the resolution of cases under the POCSO Act 2012, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR) has recommended the creation of an exclusive Fast Track Court (FTC) tailored for South Goa District. GSCPCR Chairperson Peter F Borges met with Law and Judiciary Minister Aleixo Sequeira to submit a memorandum in this regard.
“The existing FTC in North Goa District, managing over 100 POCSO cases, strains its capacity for prompt and efficient trials. Establishing a court in South Goa would alleviate this burden, ensuring timely justice. Additionally, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has recently issued an order mandating the transfer of all rape cases and cases involving sexual offences against children to the POCSO Court,” said Borges. GSCPCR also referred to the recent extension of the Fast Track Special Court (FTSCs) scheme by the Union Cabinet, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026, for the expeditious disposal of cases under the POCSO Act, which had initially sanctioned two FTSC courts for Goa.
“The scheme mandates exclusive POCSO Courts in districts with over 100 cases,” he said. With only one established POCSO court against the sanctioned two, an additional court in South Goa is critical to addressing the backlog and ensuring timely justice. Establishing an additional FTC in South Goa District is pivotal in providing prompt access to justice, minimising the trauma associated with prolonged trials,” the GSCPCR Chairperson added.
