'One roof for POCSO cases, strict action to follow': CM Rekha Gupta’s big announcement

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday announced a stronger “under one roof” mechanism for handling cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, directing officials to ensure coordinated assistance to survivors and strict follow-up against accused persons.

Gupta made the announcement during an inspection of the Sakhi One Stop Centre at Lok Nayak Hospital, where she reviewed the handling of cases involving women and girls affected by violence. She sought details of counselling, police assistance, medical treatment, legal support, temporary shelter and follow-up action, while stressing that merely registering a complaint was not enough.

Cases to be tracked monthly

In a significant administrative direction, Gupta asked all Sakhi One Stop Centres in Delhi to submit monthly reports to the Chief Minister’s Office detailing the progress of cases handled by them. The reports will cover the status of police action, registration of FIRs, proceedings under the POCSO Act and subsequent legal action.

The move is intended to create an end-to-end monitoring system so that cases do not disappear from administrative scrutiny after the initial complaint. Officials have been asked to follow the progress of survivors through different stages of the criminal justice and support systems.

Gupta said the objective was to ensure that a survivor approaching the system did not have to navigate multiple institutions without assistance. Police intervention, legal aid, medical treatment, counselling and other forms of support should instead be coordinated through the One Stop Centre mechanism.

‘Under one roof’ approach

Sakhi One Stop Centres are designed to provide integrated services to women affected by violence. The model brings together medical assistance, psychological counselling, police facilitation, legal support and temporary shelter, reducing the need for survivors to approach different agencies independently.

The Delhi government now wants to strengthen that framework particularly for POCSO cases, where children and their families often have to interact with hospitals, police, counsellors, Child Welfare Committees and courts.

The POCSO framework itself requires coordination between police and child protection authorities. It provides safeguards for children during reporting, investigation and trial, while the POCSO Rules prescribe measures relating to care, protection and support.

CM seeks accountability

During the inspection, Gupta interacted with officials and members of the centre’s team and sought information on how complaints were recorded, what happened after cases were referred to police and whether survivors continued receiving assistance during subsequent legal proceedings.

The Chief Minister said the administration must know the eventual outcome of each complaint rather than treating referral to another agency as the end of its responsibility. The monthly reporting mechanism is expected to help identify cases where police, legal or welfare intervention has been delayed.

The direction also places responsibility on Sakhi centres to maintain updated case records. The government wants the centres to function not merely as first-contact facilities but as continuing support points for survivors as their cases move through the system.

POCSO cases in focus

Cases involving sexual offences against children require particularly sensitive handling because survivors may need immediate medical care, psychological support and protection in addition to criminal investigation. Under the POCSO Act, the identity of a child survivor must remain protected, while statements and other procedures are required to be conducted in a child-friendly manner.

Delhi’s proposed integrated approach is intended to reduce the institutional burden on survivors and their families. Instead of separately navigating police stations, hospitals and legal assistance systems, the One Stop Centre would facilitate access to the necessary services and monitor whether the required steps were taken.

The government’s announcement concerns administrative coordination and survivor support; investigation, prosecution and determination of guilt will continue to be governed by the POCSO Act and other applicable criminal laws.

Women’s safety under lens

The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of women’s and children’s safety in the national capital following recent sexual assault cases. Gupta had recently said that safety-related behavioural expectations should not be imposed only on girls and that boys must also be taught acceptable conduct and boundaries.

The Delhi government has also announced plans for 50,000 CCTV cameras and one lakh streetlights as part of measures aimed at improving safety in public spaces. Separately, authorities have been examining poorly lit roads, unsafe stretches around educational institutions, last-mile transport and police patrolling.

The Supreme Court, while hearing a suo motu matter concerning recent sexual offences in Delhi-NCR on Monday, also stressed the need for stronger preventive policing and said authorities must focus on deterring offences rather than responding only after crimes occur.

Support beyond FIR

One Stop Centres were established nationally to provide coordinated assistance to women facing violence. Their purpose is broader than criminal prosecution, recognising that survivors may simultaneously require healthcare, counselling, legal guidance, police assistance and a safe place to stay.

For POCSO survivors, sustained support can be particularly important because criminal proceedings may continue for an extended period. Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO courts, have been established under a centrally sponsored scheme to expedite cases involving rape and offences against children.

Delhi’s latest initiative seeks to strengthen the other side of that process — ensuring that survivors receive continuous institutional assistance while police investigation and court proceedings continue.

The monthly reports sought by the Chief Minister will provide the government with a mechanism to examine whether complaints are progressing and whether survivors are receiving the services available to them. The effectiveness of the “one roof” approach will ultimately depend on coordination between Sakhi centres, hospitals, police, child protection authorities and the legal system.