Surge in POCSO Cases in Kerala: Conviction Rate Stagnates Below 16%
Kerala has witnessed a concerning surge in cases filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act since 2018, with an average of 2,000 cases registered annually. However, the conviction rates for these cases over the years have remained below 16%, ranging from 15% to 36%. The data for registered cases and respective conviction rates from 2018 to 2022 are as follows:
2022: 3,334 cases (15.4% conviction)
2021: 2,647 cases (19.83% conviction)
2020: 2,163 cases (24.85% conviction)
2019: 1,283 cases (19.42% conviction)
2018: 1,153 cases (35.98% conviction)
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over the persistently low conviction rates, urging government intervention to address the issue. Factors contributing to the challenge include delays in probes, witnesses and survivors turning hostile during investigations, out-of-court settlements, and lapses in evidence collection. The need for systemic improvements and interventions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the legal processes in handling POCSO cases in Kerala is evident.
