More convictions under POCSO Act in Odisha during 2012-2018

Surjit Kumar Dhal, Bhubaneswar, July 3: Soon after the implementation of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, the court of law has convicted 401 accused persons in Odisha between 2012 and 2018.

Replying to a question posed by BJP MLA Shankar Oram during the ongoing Budget Session of Assembly, Odisha’s Minister of State for Home, Dibya Shankar Mishra, apprised the House that 13 accused were convicted under the POCSO Act in 2012.

The number of convictions went up to 82 in 2013, 98 in 2014, 77 in 2015, 44 in 2016, 45 in 2017 and 42 in 2018, he said.

The Minister also informed the House that a large number of under trial accused persons (UTPs) under POCSO Act have not yet been released on bail.

Detailing the figure, he informed that the figure was 07 in 2012, 33 UTPs in 2013, 58 UTPs in 2014, 80 UTPs in 2015, 146 UTPs in 2016, 253 UTPs in 2017 and 671 UTPs in 2018

Notably, POCSO Act, 2012 deals with sexual offences against persons below 18 years of age, who are deemed as children. The Act for the first time, defines “penetrative sexual assault”, “sexual assault” and “sexual harassment”.