Delhi Court Criticizes Six-Year Delay in POCSO Case Chargesheet

A Delhi court reprimanded an investigating officer for delaying a chargesheet by six years in a POCSO case. The court demanded an inquiry, stressing the lack of checks and balances. It highlighted this delay as a violation of the victim's right to a speedy trial.

A Delhi court has reprimanded an investigating officer for a striking six-year delay in filing a chargesheet in a POCSO case. Additional Sessions Judge Anu Aggarwal criticized the officer's plea for condoning this delay, deeming the reasons provided as implausible.

The court demanded an inquiry from the Delhi Police commissioner to identify officials responsible for the delay and assess mechanisms in place to prevent such occurrences. Registered under IPC Sections 377, 506, and POCSO Act Section 6 in April 2017, the chargesheet only surfaced on December 24, 2024.

Issues cited for the delay include the officer's transfer and personal challenges, which the court brushed off as mere eyewash. It highlighted a systemic lack of checks at the police station, with cases left unnoticed for years. The court underlined the accused's favoring and violation of the victim's right to a speedy trial.

(With inputs from agencies.)