Tiruchy, Oct 17:
Judicial officers must treat children who have suffered sexual abuse with compassion, ensure fair trials and deliver verdicts promptly, Chief Justice of the Madras High Court Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari said on Friday.
Inaugurating a dedicated POCSO court at the Tiruchy Combined Court premises through videoconferencing, the Chief Justice said child victims must receive sensitive treatment when they appear before courts. Judicial officers should provide a safe atmosphere in which children can express themselves without fear.
He said the dedicated court would help expedite pending cases and ensure that victims receive justice without unnecessary delay. At the same time, he stressed that speed should not come at the expense of a fair assessment of the facts.
“Speed should go hand in hand with the facts, and there should not be room for any wrong explanation,” he said, underlining the need for careful handling of cases involving children.
The Chief Justice added that the responsibility of the justice system extended beyond delivering verdicts. Authorities must also protect the safety and rights of child victims and ensure that they are treated with dignity and compassion.
Tiruchy Principal District Judge M Christopher welcomed the gathering. District Collector Pratik Tayal inaugurated the court in the presence of City Police Commissioner N Kamini. The district now has 48 courts, including the newly established POCSO court.