Tue Oct 21 14:23:08 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court is concerned about the handling of POCSO Act cases in Special Courts, particularly regarding the timely recording of victim testimony and commencement of trials. They’ve ordered training for presiding officers of these courts to improve compliance with the law. They’ve also overturned a POCSO conviction in Dindigul due to a lack of evidence and errors in the trial court’s application of the law.

News Article:

Madras High Court Orders Training on POCSO Act Procedures, Overturns Conviction in Dindigul

MADURAI, October 21, 2025 – The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has expressed serious concerns regarding the implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Special Courts across Tamil Nadu. The court has directed the Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy to conduct specialized training sessions for presiding officers of these courts, focusing on compliance with mandatory procedures.

The directive follows observations that presiding officers are frequently failing to record victim testimony within the 30-day timeframe mandated by Section 35 of the POCSO Act. Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Vijayakumar emphasized the importance of promptly taking cognisance of charge sheets, including those filed electronically, to avoid undue delays in justice. The court also directed the High Court’s Registrar General to reissue a 2024 circular reminding presiding officers of their obligation to comply with Section 35.

These concerns arose during a habeas corpus petition hearing, where the court noted the unacceptable delay in commencing a trial in a Tirunelveli Special Court despite the completion of investigation and filing of a charge sheet.

In a separate judgment, a Division Bench, comprising Justices A.D. Jagadish Chandira and R. Poornima, overturned a POCSO Act conviction handed down by a trial court in Dindigul. The court found that the victim had recanted her initial statements during testimony, denying the alleged assault and any knowledge of the accused. The High Court ruled that the trial court erred by presuming the accused guilty when the foundational facts of the case were not proven by the prosecution. The Judge was directed to attend a training program at the State Judicial Academy.

“The trial court, without understanding the fundamental principle of criminal law, had convicted the appellant and thereby had committed a grave error and illegality,” the court stated in its judgment, acquitting the accused of all charges.

These actions by the Madras High Court highlight a commitment to ensuring the proper and just application of the POCSO Act and protecting the rights of both victims and the accused.

Read More