POCSO Special Court opens in Rourkela

Rourkela: Acting Chief Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi of Orissa High Court on Monday inaugurated a new Fast Track Special Court (FTSC) at Rourkela to deal with cases under POCSO Act and crime against women.

Speaking at the inaugural function on virtual mode, Justice Sarangi said the Fast Track Special Court aims at expediting delivery of justice in cases involving POCSO offences and crime against women.

He hoped that the new Fast Track Special Court of Rourkela would fulfil the objective and deliver timely and effective justice. He urged the retired Presiding Officer of the new Fast Track Special Court to work towards fulfilling the expectations of the litigants waiting in courts for justice.

Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra, the Administrative Judge of Sundergarh Judgeship also urged the judicial officers posted in the Fast Track Special Courts to rise to the occasion and meet the aspirations of litigants.

Taking suo motu cognisance of surge in crimes against women and children, the Supreme Court had issued guidelines to ensure expeditious dispensation of justice in such cases. Accordingly, the Centre and the state government formulated a scheme for establishing special courts for fast tracking the cases under POCSO Act and crimes against women.

Under the scheme, 20 Fast Track Special Courts have already been inaugurated in the district headquarters. Rourkela has become the first outlying station to have a Fast Track Special Court.

The Judges of the High Court of Orissa, District Judges and judicial officers of the state joined the event through virtual mode.