Karnataka HC slams delay in trial in POCSO case
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court said the entire criminal justice system was put to shame as the trial in a case of rape and murder of a five-year-old girl has been pending for the past seven years.
The Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, specifically mandates conclusion of the trial within a year, as far as possible.
The High Court observed that delay in such cases, where the offences are heinous based on facts that are 'horrendous', is a sad reflection of the legal and judicial system.
It also pointed out that though Section 35(2) of the POCSO Act mandates completion within one year, there are many cases pending before the trial courts concerned.
ALSO READ: BJP MLA Muniratna taken into police custody over allegations of making casteist slurs, death threats
Justice M Nagaprasanna made these observations while stating that though cognisance in the criminal case was taken against the two accused persons in 2017 itself, the offenders are yet to be brought to justice.
One of the accused, Chandana, had moved the High Court for recalling nine witnesses for cross-examination on the ground that the trial court rejected the application, even though the accused's advocate could not cross-examine the witnesses citing ill health.
However, the High Court noticed from the records that one of the reasons for the delay was due to repeated filing of applications on behalf of the petitioner for recalling witnesses for further cross-examination.
Based on this finding, the court permitted recalling of nine witnesses, as the right of their cross-examination was not availed by the accused, with a condition that cross-examination should be completed within nine days, and the entire trial should be completed within three months from the date of completion of cross-examination.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Three people stabbed after a fight during Ganesha idol procession in Belagavi
Belagavi: Three persons were allegedly stabbed following a fight that broke out during a Lord Ganesha idol procession, ahead of its immersion, police said on Wednesday.
Darshan Patil, Satish Pujari and Praveen Gundyagol sustained injuries in the attack, and are undergoing treatment at a hospital after the incident in the early hours of Wednesday, they said.
"The incident did not take place during the procession, but near the civil hospital here. What we have come to know is that there was a fight during the procession and police intervened and sent away both sides after warning, and the procession had proceeded," Belagavi Police Commissioner Iada Martin told reporters.
"According to our information, there was an old enmity between one of the victims and an accused due to a fight six-seven months ago," he said, adding this incident might be a consequence of that, and it is being investigated.
ALSO READ: Bengaluru system admin arrested for stealing 50 laptops after failed tomato farming
Martin said it was like a fight between a person and his friends with the opposite party due to some problem.
"When they were dancing (during the procession) the fight seemed to have broken out due to some minor thing that opposite side person was touched, that's all'¦..", he said.
The injuries are minor in nature, the Commissioner said, adding, "we know who were involved in the stabbing and we will arrest the accused."
Responding to a question that the fight happened under the "influence of ganja," he said it will be known from the tests.
A case is being registered, officials said.
