Bhubaneswar, November 29:The Odisha government has announced plans to establish 15 new POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) courts across the state.

In response to a query by Baliguda BJD MLA Chakramani Kanhar, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan informed that the state government has initiated the process to set up these additional courts. The new courts will be located in the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Berhampur, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Bhubaneswar, Baripada, Phulbani, Puri, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Malkangiri, and Sonepur.

These new POCSO courts will enhance the state's judicial infrastructure, particularly in strengthening child protection mechanisms. POCSO courts are tasked with ensuring fast-tracked trials of cases related to child sexual abuse, assault, harassment, and child pornography.

The POCSO Act, 2012, mandates that such cases be concluded within a year of the court's cognisance, and the expansion of these specialized courts is expected to reduce delays in justice delivery. This initiative will further ensure that children have better access to justice while reinforcing legal safeguards against sexual offences.