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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West Asia: India supplied 22,000 MT of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March, says MEA
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, India has supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March and has received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements, the MEA said on Friday.
At his weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in his response to a query related to requests received from India's neighbouring countries for fuel amid the West Asia situation, also said that India is "finalising a government-to-government agreement" for the supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing energy security of Mauritius.
The conflict in West Asia has now stretched to nearly 50 days, with global ramifications.
"So, we have received requests from our neighbouring countries for supply of fuel, and these are being looked into, keeping in mind our own requirements, availability and refining capacity," Jaiswal told reporters.
He further said India has "supplied 22,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh in March 2026, and further supplies have continued this month as well".
"You would recall that last month we had supplied 38 metric tonnes of petroleum products to Sri Lanka as well," he added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Mauritius last week, the MEA spokesperson said, adding, "We are finalising a government-to-government agreement for supply of oil and gas, which will play an important role in reinforcing the energy security of Mauritius".
As far as Nepal is concerned, there is an existing arrangement between Indian Oil Corporation and Nepal Oil Corporation to supply petroleum products to Nepal as per its requirements. The supplies are continuing without any interruption, he said.
Energy supplies to Bhutan also continue according to the existing arrangement.
"As I had mentioned earlier, we have received a request from Seychelles and the Maldives to meet their energy requirements. We continue to be in touch with them in this regard, and are considering the request keeping in mind our own domestic requirements and availability of fuel.
"I would also like to add that our neighbouring country governments have expressed appreciation for the uninterrupted supply, fuel supply to them during the West Asian conflict," Jaiswal said.
Global oil and gas prices surged after Iran restricted the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG trade.
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