Addl DCsP should check status of POCSO cases in at least one police station: Spl CP

New Delhi: "Additional DCsP-I of all districts should check the status of POCSO cases in at least one police station in their jurisdiction," an officer of the rank of Special Commissioner of Police directed Joint Commissioners of Police.

The direction was issued during a meeting of members of Special Task Force constituted by Commissioner of Police. According to police sources, the meeting was taken by Special CP.

The agenda of the meeting was to review the progress of the investigation of cases registered under POCSO Act couple of months ago or

more.

The meeting was attended by Joint Commissioners of Police (ranges) and DCP Legal cell.

Sources added that as many 74 cases were found pending to investigation over two months.

Special CP asked Joint CsP to keep up the pace of disposal of POCSO cases. He asked senior officers to continue their effort to conclude the investigation of even the new registered cases at the earliest possible.

He further directed them to supervise the disposal of the cases at their level.

"Special CP observed that in some districts, either only one or nil training program has been organised. He directed Joint CsP to ensure that adequate training programs are held in districts," sources said.

Special CP asked Joint CsP to brief the DCsP to ensure that adequate emphasis is laid on the collection of technical evidence by investigating officers (IOs), as the data reveals that only in a few cases, CCTV footage and CDRs have been collected.

Adding further, Special CP told Joint CsP to direct their Additional DCsP-I to test check the POCSO cases investigation of at least one police station in their jurisdiction and submit their report to concerned Joint Commissioner of Police.

The Special CP reiterated that Joint CsP should direct DCsP to brief all IOs that while investigating POCSO cases, they must ensure that the identity of the victim remains protected and ensure that it is not disclosed.

"If the victim is anticipating any threat, parents, guardians should also be apprised of provisions of the witness protection scheme for further investigation," Special CP told other senior

officers.

In the meeting, there was a discussion regarding a case of one of the districts where the medical examination of the victim was not conducted as per provisions stipulated in 164-A CrPc.

"DCP of that district should examine and submit a report to Joint CP," Special CP told other officers.