A two-day orientation programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, concluded on Sunday at the Convention Centre, Canal Road, Jammu. The programme was organised by the J&K Judicial Academy under the patronage of Chief Justice Arun Palli, Patron-in-Chief of the Academy.
The programme was conducted with reference to SAMVAD’s training manual on essential interventions for working with child sexual abuse cases and the National Judicial Academy’s training module for Fast Track Special Courts. It aimed to strengthen legal, investigative and judicial responses in child sexual offence cases.
Addressing the participants, Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Member of the Governing Committee of the Judicial Academy, said offences against children are grave violations of trust and dignity. He stressed that justice delivery in such cases must be humane, sensitive and child-centric, adding that courtrooms should serve as spaces of safety and hope for child victims. Justice Wani highlighted that the POCSO Act seeks to ensure dignity, rehabilitation and compensation for victims at every stage of the judicial process.
On the second day, Dr K.P. Singh, IPS (Retd), former Director General of Police, Haryana, delivered a session on effective investigation and documentation in POCSO cases. He discussed best practices for investigators, duties under relevant provisions of the Act, use of technology, confidentiality and common lapses that often result in acquittals.
Another session on trial management in POCSO courts was conducted by Dr Humayun Rasheed Khan, Professor at the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal. He focused on child-friendly courtroom procedures, handling testimony of child witnesses, the role of Special Courts, recent judicial pronouncements and fast-track mechanisms.
Ms Mandeep Reen, Advocate, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, spoke on key provisions of the POSH Act and its interplay with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. She underlined the importance of gender sensitivity, workplace equality and adherence to guidelines issued by the Supreme Court.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Naseer Ahmad Dar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy, who reiterated the Academy’s commitment to strengthening child-friendly justice delivery. An interactive session followed, during which participants shared experiences and practical challenges from the field.
Comments are closed.