Over 3,000 Pocso cases recorded in Karnataka in 2023: NCRB
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Bengaluru: Karnataka recorded 3,878 cases of sexual offences against children in 2023 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, according to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The figures, cited by Deccan Herald on Friday, highlight a disturbing trend in crimes against children across the state. Of the 8,929 total crimes against children registered in 2023, 43% fell under the POCSO Act, while 36% were related to kidnapping and abduction. The data also revealed a sharp 22% increase in crimes against children between 2021 and 2023.
In a concerning revelation, 128 cases of child labour and 143 instances of child marriage were also reported, despite longstanding bans and monitoring mechanisms in place to curb these practices.
Police officials attributed the low conviction rate in POCSO cases partly to the tendency of families to settle matters out of court. “Since it concerns children and is a sensitive matter, many parents do not want to drag it and go for an out-of-court settlement,” DH quoted a senior police official as saying.
Activists working on child rights mentioned that delays in the judicial process further discourage families from pursuing justice. While the law mandates that trials under the POCSO Act should be completed within a year, this timeline is rarely adhered to, leading to prolonged trauma for victims and delayed justice.
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Mangaluru: Teacher booked for allegedly beating student in school
Vittla (Dakshina Kannada): A case has been registered at the Vittla Police Station against a school teacher on charges of seriously assaulting a student with a cane at an English-medium school in Idkidu village here near Vittla in Dakshina Kannada district.
According to the complaint, the student, who attends the school regularly, had gone to school as usual. Around 2 pm, the child’s parents received a call from the school office stating that their child had allegedly disturbed other students. The school informed them that when the teacher scolded the student over the issue, the child became frightened and urinated, and the parents were asked to come and take the child home.
The parents reportedly told the school staff that no one was at home at the time and requested that the child be sent home in an autorickshaw.
After returning home, the student told the parents that a teacher identified as Istikaar had beaten him severely on the hand with a cane. The child also said that he urinated out of fear while the assault was taking place.
When the parents contacted the teacher over the phone to question him about the incident, he allegedly responded in a dismissive manner.
Following this, the parents lodged complaints with the Vittla Police Station and the Child Development Project Office, seeking justice and strict action against the teacher for allegedly assaulting the child without any valid reason.
Police have registered a case against the teacher and have taken up further investigation.
