Cuttack,18th july 2022:
Dr. S. Muralidhar, Chief Justice, High Court of Orissa inaugurated the POCSO Courts in the Judgeship of Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Koraput at Jeypore, Kendrapara and Keonjhar in Virtual Mode in the presence of Administrative Judges of the aforesaid Judgeships and Companion Judges of the High Court of Orissa in Hybrid Mode.
Among others, the District & Sessions Judges and Judicial Officers and Bar Members of Balasore, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Koraput, Kendrapara and Keonjhar as well as Collectors & Superintendent of Police of the above Districts were also present in the function, through video conferencing.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Biswanath Rath stated that opening of exclusive Special Courts under POCSO ACT, 2012 will facilitate the effective and speedy dispensation of justice to the Victims.
Justice S. Talapatra stated that the reductionist approach should be adhered to while recording the statement of victims under POCSO Act to protect the victim from the distressing memories.
Dr. Justice Muralidhar, Chief Justice noted that there has in the recent past in Odisha been a sharp increase in the number of cases involving the offences of rape and gang rape and those attracting the provisions of the POCSO Act. The provision of exclusive Courts to deal with POCSO offences was to ensure that the trials are conducted expeditiously and with minimal trauma to the victim of the crime. Since many of the cases involve young adults – whether as victims or as offenders – the presiding officers of the Courts were expected to display a greater degree of sensitivity in handling the cases and ensure the dignity of the victim through the trial process. The Chief Justice urged thefast track POCSO Courts to make use of the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs) and virtual court rooms that have been made available in each of the District Court complexes to mitigate the ordeal that victims face during trial.He urged the legal services authorities to ensure timely disbursal of compensation to the victims of the crime and effective legal representation during trial. The Chief Justice stressed that the co-operation of the Bar and its full participation in the trials in the POCSO Courts was essential to deliver speedy justice to both victims and the accused.
