Tamil Nadu to Establish 26 New POCSO Courts and 4 Narcotics Courts

Chennai, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : The Tamil Nadu government has announced the establishment of 26 additional special courts to hear cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. This move aims to strengthen the judicial framework, expedite proceedings, and ensure timely justice for victims.

Approved under the directives of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the new courts will be set up at a cost of ₹46.59 crore. The government has also granted approval for four new special courts to handle cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

According to an official statement, the decision to expand the POCSO court network was made following a review of pending cases across the state, chaired by the Chief Minister. During the meeting, Vijay assessed the status of these cases and recognized the need for additional courts dedicated to hearing child sexual abuse cases. He instructed officials to take immediate steps to establish POCSO courts in all districts, expedite investigations, and ensure that those found guilty are punished according to the law.

Currently, there are 22 special POCSO courts operating in Tamil Nadu, with four more set to become operational soon. The latest approval includes 12 new special courts and 14 additional ones, bringing the total number of planned courts to 52 across the state. These courts will serve 47 police districts and will exclusively hear cases registered under the POCSO Act.

The government stated that this expansion will help resolve pending cases, ensure swift hearings, and strengthen efforts to prevent such crimes. The administration is committed to addressing crimes against women and children, ensuring prompt legal action against offenders, and providing victims with timely justice.

Additionally, the government has approved four more NDPS courts as part of its ongoing ‘Drug-Free Tamil Nadu’ campaign aimed at curbing drug trafficking and consumption. One special court will be established in Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, and Vellore, with an additional court in Chennai.

Currently, there are 11 special courts handling NDPS cases in the state. The government emphasized that the new approvals highlight the need for quicker resolutions and hearings of pending drug cases. The additional courts will enhance judicial proceedings and support the state’s broader anti-drug efforts. Together, these two decisions are expected to bolster the judicial system’s capacity to address cases of child sexual exploitation and drug-related offenses.