In a landmark judgment dated May 15, 2025, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India addressed the alarming rise in child rape cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) through Suo Moto Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 1/2019 (In Re: Alarming Rise in the number of reported child rape incidents). The said case was initiated in 2019 after taking into account the media reports that highlighted the surge in such incidents. The Hon’ble Apex Court, led by Justice Bela M. Trivedi, issued critical directives to expedite investigations and trials.
The Hon’ble Court directed the concerned authorities to take some key measures that included establishing exclusive POCSO Courts in districts with over 100 pending cases which are to be funded centrally to ensure dedicated infrastructure, child-friendly environments, and specialized staff, including support persons and Special Public Prosecutors. The Hon’ble Court also emphasized timely forensic analysis by directing State Forensic Science Laboratories to prioritize POCSO cases, addressing the delays in report submission.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court also mandated awareness campaigns, such as screening short clips in cinemas and displaying child helpline numbers in public spaces. It is pertinent to mention that despite, many States have complied with the directives issued by the Hon’ble Apex Court by setting up dedicated courts still, high pendency in States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Tamil Nadu have highlighted the need for further and necessary action.
The Hon’ble Court has also urged adherence to POCSO Act timelines for investigations and trials, stressing sensitization of officials and prioritization of cases. Acknowledging the contributions of Amicus Curiae Shri V. Giri and Senior Advocate Shri Uttara Babbar, the Hon’ble Court closed the proceedings, underscoring the shared responsibility of the Union and State Governments to protect children from sexual offenses through robust judicial and systemic reforms.
The judgment reinforces the urgency of safeguarding child rights and ensuring justice delivery within stipulated timeframes.