7 POCSO cases a day registered in Haryana this year

AMBALA: As many as 1,320 cases under the Protection of Children rom Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012, averaging seven cases a day, were registered from April 1 to September 30 this year, according to figures accessed by the Chief Minister’s Good Governance Associates (CMGGA), a partnership programme between the Haryana government and Ashoka University.

Out of the cases registered, 729 were decided with 445 acquittals and 284 (39%) convictions.

Among the alleged victims, 91 have appealed against the acquittals

PANIPAT TOPS CHART

Out of 22 districts in Haryana, Panipat tops the chart with 179 cases registered, followed by Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar and Karnal with 165, 88, 83 and 75 cases, respectively. Charkhi Dadri is the least affected district with 14 cases, followed by Panchkula and Kurukshetra with 26 cases each and Palwal with 29.

Commenting on the low conviction rates , Jyoti Bainda, chairperson of the state Commission for Protection of Child Rights says many victims withdrew their complaints because of perceived social stigma. Most were sexually abused either by family members or someone close.

VICTIMS RELUCTANT TO GO TO CARE CENTRES

“Some victims due to the love and affection of their families don’t want to stay in a child care institution. It’s also important to help victims get over the dreadful memories and trauma,” she adds. Though POCSO cases have to be referred to Child Welfare Committee in Haryana 1,216 cases out of 1,320 were referred to the commission .

“We will find out why the 104 cases were not referred to the CWC,” Bainda added.

Sunita Dhariwal, social activist, says there have been instances of the accused paying off the victim’s family. Often, parents too forgive the accused thinking he is innocent.

“I was surprised when family members of victims told me that they did not want to register FIRS because at such a young age boys (accused) cannot commit mistakes like rapes,” Dhariwal adds.

Manisha Choudhary, superintendent of police (crime against women) says all the district headquarters and police stations in the state have been directed to waste no time in registering POCSO cases and appear in court within 30 days. “We will review the reasons for acquittal and talk with senior officials of the affected districts about cases,” she said. Investigations have been hastened to ensure quick trials take place,” she adds.