Victims to face accused without fear in POCSO cases
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur: A major step toward ensuring the safety and confidentiality of witnesses was taken on Saturday with the inauguration of a new witness room at the Jamshedpur District Court. Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad of the Jharkhand High Court led the inauguration, marking a significant development in the judicial system.
The new facility will be utilized in sensitive cases, such as those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. In these cases, the victim will be able to identify the accused without having to face them directly. The accused will remain behind a glass screen, while the victim will view the accused on a TV screen. This method aims to protect victims from any intimidation or pressure to change their testimonies during the trial.
To further ensure the privacy and safety of the individuals involved, the entry and exit routes for both the accused and the victim will be separate. Justice Prasad also inspected other areas of the court premises, including the various offices and facilities.
During the inauguration, District Judge Anil Kumar Mishra, Registrar Siddhant Tigga, and DLS Secretary Rajendra Prasad were also present.
In a related development, the District Bar Association raised several issues with Justice Prasad, including parking problems on the court premises, the need for additional space for advocates, and the construction of a floor in the old bar building. They also requested the reopening of a closed toilet and the creation of a separate common room for female advocates. Justice Prasad assured that steps would be taken to address these concerns.
Additionally, the state-level legal services and empowerment camp, aimed at spreading awareness about legal rights and government schemes, was inaugurated by Justice Prasad. He stressed the importance of outreach programs to inform people about their rights and help them take full advantage of available government schemes. Deputy Commissioner Ananya Mittal also emphasized the benefits of the ongoing Jhalsa campaign
