Over 45,000 cases of sexual offence against kids lodged in 2012-15: Maneka Gandhi

More than 45,000 cases of sexual offences against children were registered between November 2012 and March 2015, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi informed Lok Sabha on Friday.

"Based on information collected from the states/UT and collated by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), 45,498 cases have been registered under the POCSO Act, 2012, from November 2012 till March 2015, out of which 4,316 cases are pending with the state police and 35,700 cases are pending before courts," Gandhi said in a written reply.

She said NCPCR has set up 605 special courts across 654 districts under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

"National Crime Records Bureau has started collecting data on POCSO since 2014. As per available data, a total of 8,904 cases were registered under POCSO Act during 2014. The state and UT administration have been requested from time to time to set up special courts," she said.

Stakeholders concerned were also sensitised by holding a national level conference for effective implementation of POCSO Act, including setting up of special courts and timely disposal of pending cases, she said.