In a significant move to tackle the rising number of child sexual abuse cases and the growing backlog of legal proceedings, the Maharashtra government has announced the establishment of six additional special POCSO courts in Pune district. This decision aims to expedite trials and ensure timely justice for victims. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared the details during the ongoing session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
The announcement came in response to a calling attention motion raised by Chinchwad MLA Shankar Jagtap regarding the persistent delays in the disposal of cases filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Chief Minister acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that crimes involving child rape and sexual exploitation require urgent and sensitive handling. The state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, continues to prioritize judicial reforms to enhance the safety of women and children.
Explaining the factors contributing to the current delays, the Chief Minister noted that judicial processes involve complex legal requirements. Recording witness testimonies, conducting thorough medical and psychological examinations of victims, lengthy arguments from the defense, and other procedural formalities often consume significant time. Furthermore, a shortage of judicial officers combined with a surge in caseloads has hindered the quick disposal of cases. To mitigate these issues, the government has decided to strengthen the judicial infrastructure in Pune, which remains one of the busiest districts in the state regarding POCSO litigation.
Providing statistics on current infrastructure, Fadnavis stated that Pune currently operates 28 courts, including three district courts and 25 subordinate courts, with six special POCSO courts already functioning. To manage the increasing pressure, the Bombay High Court, via a notification dated July 23, 2025, sanctioned the creation of six additional special POCSO courts. The process to operationalize these courts is currently underway.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the support received from the Centre under the National Mission for Safety of Women, which aims to bolster judicial infrastructure nationwide to combat crimes against women and children. As part of this broader strategy, Maharashtra has already established 30 exclusive special POCSO courts and 104 designated special courts. Within Pune district alone, one exclusive special court and 24 designated special courts are currently handling POCSO-related matters.
The state government has formally accepted the proposal from the High Court and has initiated the recruitment process for necessary judicial officers and support staff. The Law and Judiciary Department is working in close coordination with the High Court to ensure the new courts become functional as early as possible. Officials expressed confidence that the expansion will significantly reduce the backlog of cases, ensure faster trials, and provide swifter justice to child victims, thereby strengthening the state’s judicial response to crimes against children.
