Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s Bharosa centre is set to have a designated children’s court to try cases under the Posco Act, permission for which was given by the High Court secretly.
Additional commissioner of police, crime and SIT, Swati Lakra, said, “The High Court has approved the proposal submitted by Bharosa for permission for the designated court of Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge court, to try cases under Posco Act in the premises of HACA Bhavan at the Bharosa Centre for speedy disposal of child sexual abuse cases. This special court, following child-friendly practices, will not only conduct speedy trials but also reduce chances of reccurence of victimisation of children.”
The child-friendly court will be set up under the guidelines of the Posco Act 2012. It will have all necessary facilities that make a child feel comfortable and at ease to speak to the judge and advocates. There will be a special child room equipped with video-conference facility and a rest room for victims of violence, along with rooms for judicial officers, prosecutors, defence advocates and a waiting area for the public.
The court will ensure that the child is not exposed to the accused in any way at the time of recording of evidence, while also ensuring that the accused is in a position to hear the child’s statement and communicate with his advocate. A one-way glass will be used for this purpose. There will also be a provision for live-link TV testimony of the child to be taken in a room outside the court hall which will be televised to the courtroom.
“Since its launch, Bharosa has dealt with more than 2,900 cases of various types, and victims have been provided counselling, support, legal aid, medical examination, police and prosecution help, shelter, compensation and other support to enable a victim of violence who enters Bharosa to leave it with confidence and a new hope in life,” said Ms Lakra.
