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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Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
