Correspondent
Disturbing Case of Sexual Abuse: Gauhati High Court Takes Urgent Action.
The Chief Justice, Sandeep Mehta, personally intervened in the matter after media reports highlighted the distressing events. The court initiated a suo moto case to address the cancellation of Bagra's bail application, as he is currently out on bail, a decision made by the special POCSO court.
The court found that the special POCSO court had not properly considered the mandatory provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) when granting bail to the accused. In response, the Gauhati High Court called on the Arunachal Advocate General to direct the Director General of Police to ensure the security and safety of all the victims and their families.
The court expressed disappointment in the special court's justifications for granting bail to Bagra, who had the responsibility of safeguarding the children under his care as a hostel warden. Instead, he committed abhorrent acts, subjecting innocent children to sexual abuse for nearly three years and even exposing them to explicit material. The High Court emphasized that the trial for such serious offenses should not be delayed while waiting for the absconding accused to be apprehended; proceedings must move forward independently.
Additionally, the Chief Justice stressed the importance of sensitizing the Special Judges appointed to the POCSO Courts in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam. There is a need for greater awareness and understanding among these judges in handling cases under the POCSO Act.
To address this urgent need, the Director of Judicial Academy, Assam, has been instructed to conduct immediate training and sensitization programs for all Judicial officers handling POCSO Act cases in the four states mentioned.
This heartbreaking case reminds us of the crucial importance of protecting vulnerable children and ensuring that swift justice is served to those who commit such grave crimes against them.