Politics · India Bureau
Tamil Nadu to establish 26 POCSO courts, 4 NDPS courts
Tamil Nadu will significantly expand its specialized judicial infrastructure with the establishment of 26 new courts to handle cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POCSO) Act and four courts for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases. The expansion will bring the total number of POCSO courts in the state to 52.
LSN India ·
The Tamil Nadu government has approved plans to set up an additional 26 POCSO Act courts and four NDPS courts across the state, marking a substantial increase in specialized judicial capacity for handling sensitive criminal cases. The new courts will be distributed across police districts to strengthen the state's legal framework for protecting vulnerable populations and combating drug-related offences.
With these additions, Tamil Nadu will have a total of 52 POCSO Act courts functioning across 47 police districts. The expansion aims to expedite case disposal and ensure swifter justice for children who are victims of sexual offences, addressing the persistent backlog in the state's judicial system.
The establishment of dedicated NDPS courts will similarly enhance the state's capacity to prosecute drug trafficking and related crimes more efficiently. These specialized courts are designed to handle complex narcotics cases and are expected to reduce trial duration while ensuring consistent application of drug laws.
The move reflects the state government's commitment to strengthening its criminal justice infrastructure and addressing gaps in specialized judicial forums. Officials indicated that the new courts would be operationalized progressively, with infrastructure development and staff recruitment to commence in the coming months.