Times of India: Ranchi: Wednesday, October 02, 2013.
Protection of
Children against Sexual Offences Act (POCSOA) 2012, has been applied in only
eight cases out of the 85 cases of sexual abuse against children in eight
districts of the state. This came to light after a social activist, Shesh Nath
Vernawal, filed an RTI in July seeking information on the number of cases in
which POCSO Act has been applied in the state.
The period for
which Vernwal had sought the information under RTI was between November 15,
2012 and July 15, 2013. Vernwal said, "When I heard the case of an Army
man sexually abusing a small boy I went to the Sadar police station here and
saw the copy of FIR. In this case, the POCSO Act was not applied. Then I
thought of filing an RTI to know the actual number of cases in which the Act
has been applied and the results have been shocking."
The details
were demanded from all the 24 districts but till date only eight districts have
given their report. Of a total of 85 cases lodged, POCSOA has been applied in
only eight cases. The maximum number of four cases has been lodged in Dumka
district, Vernwal said.
The other
districts which provided details are Garhwa, East Singhbhum, Gumla, Pakur,
Sahebgunj, West Singhbhum and Lohardaga.
POCSO Act
provides for protection of children from offences of sexual assault, sexual
harassment and pornography and safeguarding interest and well being of the
child at every stage of the judicial process. The Act also boasts of
incorporating child-friendly procedures or reporting, recording of evidence,
investigation of trial of offences and establishment of special court and
speedy trial of such cases.
In Garhwa,
nine cases of sexual abuse against children came to light of which POCSO Act
was applied in two cases, in Pakur of four cases the POCSO Act was applied in
only one case, In Dumka, of six cases, POCSO Act was applied in four cases and
in East Singhbhum, the act was applied in one of nine cases. In other districts
the Act has not been applied at all.
Another
important fact that came to light through this RTI is that in many cases the
victim's name has been disclosed, while the law does not allow it. Of the 85
cases, name of the victim has been disclosed in as many as 22 cases.
This
indicates that despite the large number workshops and seminars conducted for
bringing awareness among police personnel about POCSO Act, there is still a lot
to be done to create awareness among the men in khaki in this regard.
When
contacted, IG (CID) Anurag Gupta said, "I am not aware that the Act is not
being implemented in so many cases. I will definitely try to find the facts and
take action."
He added,
"There might be some officials who are unaware of the Act but the
awareness has definitely increased. We are continuously conducting workshops
and seminars and also sending circulars to various police stations to make the
policemen aware of the Act."
When asked
whether the department has taken any step towards increasing public awareness
about the Act Gupta said, "The department is not taking any step on this.
But we have spoken to some NGOs and they are doing the task of spreading public
awareness among the people."
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