Kerala high court raised concerns over witness boxes for minors in POCSO courts: says “Children will be scared just to enter it”
Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by News Desk
Kerala High Court recently expressed its concern over the witness boxes of minor victims of sexual offences in the courts that try cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).
According to the bar and bench report, Single judge justice Sophy Thomas made observations while hearing a list of regular bail applications moved by persons accused under POCSO. She observed that the conditions of the box are similar to a cage which can be traumatising for a child victim.
“In POCSO courts, there is a box in which children are to be deposed. It is meant for the victim and it is just like a kennel. Children will be scared just to enter it. Asking children to go into that cage could itself be very traumatising” she noted.
She also recalled an incident during her visit to a POCSO court where she told the court staff to put the accused in the witness box and allow the kids to be outside. She added that the witness boxes are so restrictive that only a child’s face is visible. “Only their faces are visible. Even dog kennels have bars which let light in,” she remarked.
Written by Shagun Behal
