Hyderabad: The child-friendly court, a special court for the trial of offences under Pocso Act, was inaugurated at HACA Bhavan in Hyderabad on Saturday morning by the Supreme Court of India Judge, Justice Madan Bhimarao Lokur in the presence of Justice Sri Ramesh Ranganathan, Chief Justice of High court of Judicature at Hyderabad and other senior officers.
The court will be a child-friendly one and will be set up as per the guidelines provided in the Pocso Act 2012. It will have all the required facilities in order to make the child feel comfortable and at ease to speak to the judge and advocates.
Apart from the innovative and child-friendly court hall, designed according to certain principles and guidelines laid down, a special child room with video conference facility and rest room, for victims of violence will be available. Rooms for the judicial officers, prosecutors, defence advocates and a waiting area for the common public, will be set up.
“The High Court had earlier accepted the proposal submitted by Bharosa for permitting the designated court, Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, Hyderabad, for offences to be tried under the POCSO Act in the premises of HACA Bhavan at the Bharosa Centre for speedy disposal of child sexual abuse cases. This special child-friendly court, following child-friendly practices, will not only conduct speedy trials but also reduce re-victimisation,” said Swati Lakra, Additional Commissioner of Police, Crimes and SIT, Hyderabad. The court will ensure that the child is not exposed in any way to the accused at the time of recording of the evidence, while at the same time ensuring that the accused is in a position to hear the statement of the child and communicate with his advocate. For this purpose a one-way mirror would be used. There will also be a provision for live-link television testimony of the child to be taken in a room outside the court hall and be televised to the courtroom and there will be a separate entry for the child for this purpose.
