Kerala High Court finds most POCSO courts lack mandated facilities, seeks count of additional courts needed

25 September 2026

A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M., found that most courts hearing cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act do not conform to statutory guidelines and lack adequate facilities. The finding follows the judges' own visits to district courts. The petition is a public interest litigation filed by the District Court Bar Association. The Registrar (District Judiciary) was directed to file an affidavit on the number of additional courts required.