Victim Protection Scheme In The State Only Exists On Paper: Kerala HC Voices Concern Amid Rising POCSO Cases

Case Name: Bessie Paul v. Station House Officer

Key Takeaways

• The Victim Protection Scheme in the State of Kerala exists only on paper.
• Kerala High Court observes that proper implementation of the Scheme is required.

Background

• The accused was a relative of the victim.
• The appellants made representations to the local and district police to seek protection for the victim and her family’s life and property. They received no response and so were prompted to move to the court
• The accused and his family were allegedly threatening the victim to not proceed with the matter.

Observations

• Justice Devan Ramachandran while hearing the matter expressed his concern over the lack of a victim protection programme. He stated, "It is high time that we implement a victim protection scheme in the State. Right now, it only exists on paper; it has not been implemented yet. If this happened in any other country, the victim would have been protected and hidden away by now."

Orders

• The Court directed the police to “ensure that the victim and her family are protected from any threat to their lives from the accused and his family members.”
• The said matter has been listed for hearing on 2nd November 2021.

Questions

1. Do you think the victim protection scheme is being implemented properly in your state?
2. Do you agree that foreign countries have a better implementation of victim protection schemes?

Share your views in the comments section below.