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West Bengal to Set Up Five New POCSO Courts

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 13-Sep-2024

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Why in the News?

The West Bengal government has announced plans to establish five new POCSO fast-track special courts in the state. Currently, West Bengal has 62 POCSO courts, along with six e-POCSO courts. This decision was revealed by Minister of State (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya during a press conference today. Now there will be 67 POCSO fast-track courts in West Bengal as well as 6 e-POCSO courts.

The POCSO Act: Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act

  • It came into effect on 14th November 2012 which was enacted in consequence to India’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.
  • Aim: To address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, which were either not specifically defined or inadequately penalized.
  • It defines a child as any person under the age of 18 and lays down provisions for various offenses, including sexual assault, harassment, and pornography.
  • Further amended in 2019: To Introduce more stringent punishment including the death penalty for Committing sexual crimes on children.
  • Composition: 1 Judicial Member + 7 Staff Members
  • The Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, to set up Fast Track Special Courts including exclusive POCSO Courts.
  • It is gender neutral in nature that means both boys and girls can be victims of sexual abuse.

West Bengal

  • Location: Eastern region of India
  • Bordering Countries: Bangladesh to the east and Bhutan to the north.
  • Bordering States: Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, and Assam.
  • Capital: Kolkata
  • Official Language: Bengali
  • It is one of India’s largest producers of rice, jute, tea, particularly the world-famous Darjeeling tea.
  • Chief Minister: Mamata Banerjee
  • Governor: CV Ananda Bose
  • Minerals: Coal, Limestone, China Clay, Copper, Granite and Dolomite
  • Major Industrial Plants
    • Durgapur Steel Plant: One of India’s largest steel plants, part of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), located in Durgapur.
    • Bengal Chemical & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.: India’s first pharmaceutical company, located in Kolkata.
    • Haldia Petrochemicals: One of the largest petrochemical plants in India, located in Haldia.
    • Tata Metaliks Plant: A pig iron manufacturing plant in Kharagpur.
    • Chittaranjan Locomotive Works: A leading manufacturer of electric locomotives in India, located in Chittaranjan.
  • Major Rivers: Ganga, Teesta, Hooghly, Damodar, Subarnarekha
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries and Reserves
    • Sundarbans National Park
    • Buxa Tiger Reserve
    • Jaldapara National Park
    • Gorumara National Park
    • Singalila National Park
    • Neora Valley National Park
  • Major Port: Kolkata Port (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port) and Haldia Port

Location of West Bengal