The primary responsibility of execution of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) lies with the State Governments. As per the provisions of POCSO Act, 2012 the State Government shall in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification in the Official Gazette, designate for each district, a Court of Session to be a Special Court to try the offences under the Act. Provided that if a Court of Session is notified as a children’s court under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 (4 of 2006) or a Special Court designated for similar purposes under any other law for the time being in force, then such court shall be deemed to be a Special Court under the section. As per information received from National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, 664 Special Courts have been set up across the country till 30^th April, 2019 for timely disposal of the cases registered under the POCSO Act, 2012. Details of Special Courts set up across the country, State/UT-wise are at Annexure-I. The matter of appointment of judges rests with the State Governments and UT Administrations.

Annexure-I

State/UT-wise number of Special Courts set up across the country till 30^th April, 2019 as per information received from the States /UTs.

This information was given by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MM/SB