Thiruvananthapuram: The judgment in the Vandiperiyar case is the latest example of police complicity in pox cases without serious investigation or collection of scientific evidence.
In many cases, the accused escaped due to lack of vigilance by the police. Most cases end without evidence. Accused are convicted only in 18.32 percent cases. Even though no settlement is possible according to law, the police call the victim and the accused to the station and conduct mediation. It is also customary to weaken the case by documenting that the child refused medical examination.
A.D.G.P in charge of law and order openly admitted the lapses of the police in the investigation of the POCSO case MR. Ajith Kumar had recently submitted a report to the Human Rights Commission. ADGP’s revelations are delay in completion of investigation, failure to collect evidence, failure of supervision by higher officials during investigation and trial.
The High Court is now considering the police’s recommendations to drop the no-evidence case and increase the punishment. The recommendations are that the secret statement of Atijeevta and key witnesses should be recorded in the court and the evidence should be scrutinized by the District Nodal Officer of POCSO cases. If the loyalist changes, the victim compensation paid till then should be recovered. In cases where relatives are accused, the victim should be kept safe. Victim Liaison Officer should visit Atijeevitha regularly. Recommendations such as informing the court if the accused tries to influence are also under consideration by the High Court.
Penalty rate is low
Out of 1255 cases that were tried during 2013-18, the accused were convicted in only 230 cases.
In 282 cases in Kozhikode, while the trial was completed, the accused were convicted in 23 cases.
Boring questioning
Calling the victim and family members to the station and making a marathon statement.
There are many people who get fed up with the interrogation at the station and give up the case.
📌 Women S.I. should take the statement but men should interrogate
Do not call the victim into stress. The rule is to come home and take a statement once
You can get death penalty
POCSO is punishable by imprisonment for a minimum of 3 years to life, and death penalty if the victim dies. The announcement that a special unit headed by DYSPs would be formed for the investigation was wasted.
2023-12-15 19:41:15
#POCSO #Cases #Uzhappi #Police
