Reporters Without Orders Ep 199: POCSO pendency, security gaps at a Delhi court

This week, it’s an all-Newslaundry panel as host Basant Kumar is joined by Diksha Munjal and Anna Priyadarshani.

The discussion begins with Diksha’s report on the implications and complexities of the POCSO Act in India. Detailing lapses in the system, she says trials which are to be completed within the stipulated one-year period have been pending for even five years in some cases. “Either the judge is on leave or the prosecutor is not available…and most of all the police does not care,” she says, reiterating the need to highlight such cases as “it hinders the lifelong functioning of a child who has been a victim to the abuse”.

They then talk about Anna’s ground report on the security concerns in and around courtrooms, especially focussing on the Rohini court and the recent incidents of fights, shootings and a blast in the area. Anna points out a few glaring gaps. “There are cameras installed in the courts but they aren’t working so the proof of the further shootings, fights and court proceedings is never on evidence,” she says. She also talks about gang rivalries in the vicinity as another example of security breach around the court. “The security and police just stand there to watch all this happening.”

This, and a lot more as they talk about what made news, what didn’t, and what shouldn’t have.

Tune in.

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