New Delhi: Delhi High Court has asked the city’s police commissioner to consider setting up dedicated investigation teams for cases registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act in every police district to ensure timely completion of probes.A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia issued the direction while disposing of a public interest litigation (PIL) highlighting delays in the investigation of Pocso cases.During the hearing, the petitioner drew the court’s attention to statutory timelines prescribed under Pocso Act and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.The court was informed that Section 35 of Pocso Act requires the evidence of a child victim to be recorded within 30 days of a Special Court taking cognisance of the offence and mandates that, as far as possible, trials be completed within a year.The petitioner also referred to Section 193(2) of BNSS, which requires investigation of specified Pocso offences to be completed within two months from the date of registration of the FIR.The plea pointed out that despite the statutory mandate, investigations in several cases were not completed within the prescribed timeframe.Petitioner Zuber Ali sought the creation of dedicated Pocso investigation units across Delhi’s police districts. He informed the court that he had submitted a representation to police commissioner on Sept 5 seeking appropriate measures.Counsel for Delhi Police told the court that the representation was under consideration and that consultations were underway.Taking note of the submission, the bench observed that Delhi Police was already aware of the concerns raised and directed police commissioner to consider the suggestions made in the representation and take appropriate steps.The court directed that a decision be taken within three months and asked police counsel to communicate the order to the department.
