SC asks academy to form panel for norms on judges' approach, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court directed the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, to form a committee for developing guidelines to sensitize judges in cases of sexual offences and vulnerable victims.
• The committee will be headed by Justice Aniruddha Bose, Director of the National Judicial Academy.
• The order was issued on February 10 in response to a suo motu cognizance of an Allahabad High Court order related to a POCSO case.
• The committee will consist of Justice Bose as chairperson and four other domain experts.

Detailed Insights:

• The committee will review past judicial and administrative measures aimed at achieving sensitivity in handling cases involving vulnerable individuals.
• The recommendations will be drafted as guidelines for judges and the judicial system when dealing with sexual offences and sensitive cases.
• The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of an Allahabad High Court order that modified summons issued by the Special Judge (POCSO), Kasganj, in a 2022 case.
• The High Court revised charges against the accused from Section 376 IPC (rape) read with Section 18 of POCSO Act (attempt to commit offence) to Section 354(b) IPC (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to disrobe), read with Section 9/10 (aggravated sexual assault) of POCSO Act.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Suo Motu Cognizance: The power of a court to take up a matter on its own, without waiting for a formal complaint.
• POCSO Act: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, is an Indian law to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
• IPC Section 376: Defines the punishment for the offense of rape under the Indian Penal Code.