POCSO CASES PENDING IN COURTS OF KERALA

According to a news report appeared in The Times of India some time back 10,187 POCSO cases were pending in various courts of Kerala. Consequent upon the increse of crime against children, the number of cases coming to the courts are considerably increasing. There are now 28 special courts in the state to handle POCSO cases. Yet, these seems to be inadequate to deal with as the crime rate is almost double by successive years. While 2,384 POCSO cases were registered in 2015 it was almost doubled in 2018. The state Chief Minister  told earlier that more courts would come up soon to deal with crimes committed against women and children in the state. Due to the paucity of trial facilities the cases are pending in the courts for longer period and this helps the criminals to roam around freely and commit more crimes.

Beyond all these, keeping the criminals into prison for few years and feeding them well do not make the desired results unless they are made to reform from this worst crime. Unless a criminal is reformed by sending to the prison, the so called punishment is of no use. If the judiciary can suggest and supervise the reformation process, it may contribute significantly and it may bring down the crime rate considerably.

It would be preferable, if the court can include in the judgement order itself  the mode of reformation to be imparted during imprisonment period. It may also be ensured by all concerned that the criminal's out look is getting changed positively. On completion of the imprisonment the prisoner should be examined by a three member committee nominated by the court. lf the committee find reformation in the prison he would be let out and if not,  he should be sent to an open jail with firm arrangements for continuous reformation counseling by experts.

We should however, take all possible measures to keep the women and children safe in our state.

K V George