Gujarat records 1,785 POCSO verdicts in five years

GANDHINAGAR :  Gujarat’s crackdown on crimes against children has entered a new phase, with courts delivering 1,785 judgments in POCSO cases between 2022 and August 2026, including 908 life imprisonment sentences and 16 death sentences. The state government says faster investigations, prompt charge sheets and fast-track trials are helping bring offenders to justice in record time.

The pace of justice was starkly illustrated in Kalol, where a Special POCSO Court sentenced a 42-year-old accused to imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life just 72 hours after police filed the charge sheet in a case involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.

Officials said the Kalol case reflects a wider push to reduce delays in cases involving sexual offences against children.

The number of judgments has risen sharply over the period, from 194 in 2022 to 499 in 2025. During the first eight months of 2026 alone, courts delivered 346 judgments, including 241 life sentences and two death sentences.

“There can be no mercy or leniency for anyone who casts an evil eye on girls in Gujarat,” Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi said.

He attributed the acceleration to the establishment of fast-track courts, scientific police investigations and a stronger legal framework under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

“Reaching a verdict within just 72 hours of the filing of a charge sheet is the result of the excellent and scientific investigation carried out by the Gujarat Police and the strict and commendable approach of the judiciary,” Sanghavi said, adding that the government’s resolve was to ensure the strictest punishment for offenders.

Gujarat Police have also focused on reducing the time taken to complete investigations. DGP G S Malik said POCSO cases are being handled through a three-pronged strategy of “thorough investigation, strict action and speedy justice.”

He said every case is being monitored to ensure charge sheets are filed promptly and transferred to fast-track courts without unnecessary delay. In most cases, police are filing charge sheets within 45 days.

Over the past five years, charge sheets were filed within one to 15 days in 140 cases, while 1,339 cases were completed within 16 to 30 days. Another 5,463 cases saw charge sheets filed within 31 to 45 days.

The figures underscore Gujarat’s intensified effort to ensure that cases involving crimes against children do not languish for years before reaching a verdict.