Chennai: The state govt has ordered the establishment of 26 special courts to exclusively hear cases booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, taking the total number of such courts in the state to 52. The govt has also sanctioned four special courts to expedite trials in drug trafficking cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, adding to its 11 existing such courts.The orders were issued following a review meeting chaired by chief minister C Joseph Vijay on the status of pending Pocso cases across the state, said a govt statement on Sunday. CM reviewed the number of cases, their progress and the requirement for additional courts, and directed officials to establish more courts to speed up trials and ensure timely justice for survivors, the statement said.The announcement comes in the backdrop of a series of sexual offences and drug trafficking cases reported across the state.Of the 26 Pocso courts, 12 will be special courts and 14 will be additional special courts. The govt has sanctioned ₹46.59 crore for the expansion. There are 22 Pocso special courts functioning, and four more are set to get operational soon, the statement said. With the new courts, Tamil Nadu will have 52 dedicated courts catering to its 47 police districts, it added.Separately, four special courts will be set up under the NDPS Act as part of the state govt’s mission to achieve ‘Drug-Free Tamil Nadu’ status. One court each will come up in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Vellore, while Chennai will get an additional court, the statement said.
