Punjab & Haryana High Court Directs Haryana Govt to Establish Fast Track POCSO Courts Within Two Months

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has instructed the Haryana Government to hasten the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act within a span of two months.

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, emphasized the urgency, stating that the State must expedite the issuance of the necessary notifications for the establishment of these courts.

This direction came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition that sought the setting up of additional courts to handle offences under the POCSO Act, 2012. The plea also sought enforcement of the Supreme Court's guidelines laid down in Re: Alarming Rise in the Number of Reported Child Rape Incidents [Suo Motu CWP (Crl.) No. 1 of 2019].

During the proceedings, the High Court's counsel informed the Bench that recommendations had already been made on April 21 for the creation of two Fast Track Special Courts in Faridabad, and one each in Panchkula and Gurugram. These recommendations have been forwarded to the Haryana Government for further action.

Additional Solicitor General of India, Mr. Satya Pal Jain, pointed out that the Central Government has allocated Rs. 200 crores towards the operationalization of Fast Track and POCSO courts across various States. However, he clarified that the responsibility of establishing and notifying such Special Courts under the POCSO Act rests with the respective State Governments.

Taking note of these submissions, the Court observed that the concerns raised by the petitioners have been addressed adequately for the present.

The petitioners were represented by advocates Mr. Shikhar Goel (via video conference), Mr. Abhimanu Jangra, and Mr. Soeb Khan. Respondent No.1, the High Court, was represented by Ms. Ashima Mor (via VC) and Mr. Gyan Parkash Saini. The State of Haryana was represented by Additional Advocate General Mr. Naveen S. Bhardwaj. On behalf of the Union of India, Mr. Satya Pal Jain and Senior Panel Counsel Ms. Krishna Dayama appeared.

The case is titled Anshul and others v. Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh and others.