Key Facts

Tamil Nadu has issued a government order for 12 new special courts and 14 additional special courts, 26 in all, to try cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, at a cost of ₹46.59 crore. The state already has 22 such courts, so each of its 47 police districts will be served by 52 courts in total. Separately, four new courts will be set up for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases, one each at Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Vellore and one additional special court at Chennai, adding to the 11 NDPS special courts now working. The decisions were taken by Chief Minister Vijay after reviewing pending cases and form part of the government's 'Drug-free Tamil Nadu' campaign.

GK Context

The POCSO Act, 2012 is gender-neutral, defines a child as any person below 18 years, makes reporting of offences mandatory and provides for special courts under Section 28; the trial is to be completed, as far as possible, within one year of taking cognizance. Special courts for NDPS offences are constituted under Section 36 of the NDPS Act, 1985. The Centre also supports Fast Track Special Courts for rape and POCSO cases under a centrally sponsored scheme.