Fri Feb 21 14:56:24 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Court Slams Police Officer for Six-Year Delay in POCSO Chargesheet Filing
**New Delhi:** A Delhi court has severely reprimanded an investigating officer (IO) for a six-year delay in filing a chargesheet in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case. Additional Sessions Judge Anu Aggarwal criticized the officer’s justifications for the delay – including transfer, heavy workload, personal issues, and a missing case file – as “eyewash.” The court found these reasons unconvincing, noting the absence of documentation to support the claim that the IO had transferred the report before the delay.
The case, registered in April 2017, involved charges under IPC Sections 377 (unnatural offences), 506 (criminal intimidation), and Section 6 of the POCSO Act (aggravated penetrative sexual assault). The chargesheet was only filed on December 24, 2024.
Judge Aggarwal highlighted the significant impact of the delay on the seven-year-old victim, now a teenager, whose memory of the incident is likely to have faded considerably. The judge also accused the IO of favouring the accused and hindering the victim’s right to a speedy trial.
The court’s order, dated January 25, mandates an inquiry by the Delhi Police Commissioner into the matter. The Commissioner must investigate the lack of mechanisms to prevent such delays and report back by February 27. The court also directed the Commissioner to establish a system ensuring timely submission of chargesheets to the court after authorization.
Meanwhile, the court has summoned the accused, taking cognizance of the offence based on the available evidence. The court’s strong action underscores the serious implications of delayed justice in sensitive cases involving child abuse.
First Piper 