Desk Correspondent , Chandigarh – Judicial outcomes for child safety cases in the city saw a significant boost in 2024, with convictions in fresh Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) cases rising by 14.2%. According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, city courts secured convictions in 185 fresh cases compared to 162 in 2023. Of these, 148 involved heinous offenses such as aggravated sexual assault. A parallel trend was observed in crimes against women, where convictions rose by 8.2% to reach 118 for the year.

Inspector General of Police Pushpendra Kumar attributed the improvement to a strategic shift toward "scientific investigation" and tighter coordination with prosecutors. The integration of DNA evidence and forensic data has become a critical safeguard, often securing convictions even when witnesses turn hostile. Legal experts also credited time-bound probes, the use of special POCSO courts, and robust financial aid from the State Legal Services Authority for shielding victims from intimidation and maintaining the consistency of testimonies during faster trials.

Despite the upward trajectory in convictions, the data underscores a persistent challenge in the legal system: high acquittal rates. In 2024, 314 POCSO cases and 204 cases involving crimes against women resulted in acquittals. While police filed charge-sheets in 431 fresh POCSO cases—a marginal increase from the previous year—experts note that sustaining evidence within a short trial window remains a hurdle. Moving forward, the focus remains on plugging procedural loopholes through electronic evidence and victim support mechanisms.