Kerala High Court Directs State to Improve Infrastructure and Staffing for POCSO Special Courts

The Hindu•Published: Sep 28, 2026 01:15 AM IST

The Kerala High Court has issued a directive to the state government to ensure that all special courts established under the POCSO Act meet mandatory infrastructure and operational guidelines. The Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Soumen Sen, emphasized the need for adequate facilities and the fulfillment of staffing requirements to ensure the effective functioning of these courts.

Infrastructure Compliance: The court ordered the state to provide suitable rooms and necessary facilities for POCSO courts if existing spaces are deemed inadequate.
Judicial Expansion: The state must disclose the total number of additional courts required to meet the Supreme Court’s mandate for districts handling over 100 POCSO cases.
Prosecutor Training: The court mandated specialized training for public prosecutors in areas including child psychology, child behavior, and pediatric health as per judicial guidelines.

The Context & Background

This directive follows concerns regarding the state's failure to appoint sufficient exclusive public prosecutors and provide the infrastructure necessary for child-sensitive legal proceedings. The Supreme Court previously mandated these measures to ensure that districts with high caseloads have dedicated resources to handle sexual offense cases involving minors efficiently.

Why it matters:This ruling is critical for protecting the rights of minors in the legal system, ensuring that sensitive cases are handled in environments that prioritize child welfare. By enforcing infrastructure and training standards, the court aims to reduce judicial delays and improve the quality of justice for victims of sexual offenses.

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