Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
Chapter VIII:
Procedure and Powers of Special Courts and Recording of Evidence
33. Procedure and
powers of Special Court.-
1.
A
Special Court may take cognizance of any offence, without the accused being
committed to it for trial, upon receiving a complaint of facts which constitute
such offence, or upon a police report of such facts.
2.
The
Special Public Prosecutor, or as the case may be, the counsel appearing for the
accused shall, while recording the examination-in-chief, cross-examination or
re-examination of the child, communicate the questions to be put to the child
to the Special Court which shall in turn put those questions to the child.
3.
The
Special Court may, if it considers necessary, permit frequent breaks for the
child during the trial.
4.
The
Special Court shall create a child-friendly atmosphere by allowing a family
member, a guardian, a friend or a relative, in whom the child has trust or
confidence, to be present in the court.
5.
The
Special Court shall ensure that the child is not called repeatedly to testify
in the court.
6.
The
Special Court shall not permit aggressive questioning or character
assassination of the child and ensure that dignity of the child is maintained
at all times during the trial.
7.
The
Special Court shall ensure that the identity of the child is not disclosed at
any time during the course of investigation or trial:
Provided that for
reasons to be recorded in writing, the Special Court may permit such
disclosure, if in its opinion such disclosure is in the interest of the child.
Explanation.- For the
purposes of this sub-section, the identity of the child shall include the
identity of the child's family, school, relatives, neighbourhood or any other
information by which the identity of the child may be revealed.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
In
appropriate cases, the Special Court may, in addition to the punishment, direct
payment of such compensation as may be prescribed to the child for any physical
or mental trauma caused to him or for immediate rehabilitation of such child.
9.
Subject
to the provisions of this Act, a Special Court shall, for the purpose of the
trial of any offence under this Act, have all the powers of a Court of Session
and shall try such offence as if it were a Court of Session, and as far as may
be, in accordance with the procedure specified in the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973 for trial before a Court of Session.