Tamil Nadu approves 26 new POCSO special courts to speed up child abuse trials

The state cabinet of Tamil Nadu approved the creation of 26 new special courts dedicated to cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The move aims to address the backlog of pending cases and ensure faster disposal of trials involving child sexual abuse. Officials said the additional courts will be staffed with trained magistrates and judges to handle the sensitive nature of the offences. The government expects the new benches to cut down the average time taken for a verdict, thereby delivering quicker justice to victims and their families. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the state to strengthen child protection mechanisms and improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system.