Crime against women: Meghalaya government to set up special courts

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, April 19: The Meghalaya government today said that concerned with the delay in the disposal of offences against women and children, a special law—the Meghalaya Special Courts Act, 2014, which provides for establishment of Special Courts for expeditious trial of offences of above ture—has been ected.

The Law Department also informed that to deal with offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, Special Courts have already been constituted in all the districts of the State.

“The Government is also actively examining the need for setting up of Special Courts for expediting trials of offences/crimes against women, in consultation and with the approval of the Meghalaya High Court,” the Law Department added.

The state government also informed that with the separation of judiciary in six districts, the disposal of cases will get expedited.

“This will also help in a way in better investigation of such cases under closer supervision of professiolly administered judicial courts,” the government added.

The Law Department also said that instructions have also been given to the Public Prosecutors to the effect that in all cases relating to rape, trafficking, torture, abuse and exploitation of children, “serious and speedy” action should be taken whenever they come up in any court within their respective jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Law Department also clarified that the three Fast Track Courts and one Special Court, were set up in the State at Shillong, Tura, Jowai and Nongstoin for trial of pending crimil cases under a centrally sponsored scheme of the Government of India and the Eleventh Fince Commission award.

Once the term of the centrally sponsored scheme and the Fince Commission Award expired, these Fast Track/Special Courts also had to be wound up.