Umamageswari Maruthappan
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani submitted a written answer to a question regarding the number of criminals convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Around 11,112 criminals have been accused under the act between 2014 and 2016, that is, 2,686 in the year 2014, 4,567 in 2015 and 3,859 in 2016, the Union Ministry highlighted.
Minister Irani further stated that the highest number of convicts were reported from Uttar Pradesh (2,654) and Madhya Pradesh (2,584).
According to the Ministry, Rs. 140 crore was allocated in the year 2019-20 for establishing fast track courts and special POCSO courts. At present, 609 fast track courts, of which 331 special POCSO courts.
The question was asked by NCP MP Dr Fauzia Khan during the Rajya Sabha meeting.