While more crimes against children, including cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, are being reported in Tamil Nadu, the nodal body that oversees the implementation of relevant laws, the State Commission for Protection of Children Rights of the Child (SCPCR), has been out of operation for more than two years.

Children’s rights activists point out that without the monitoring body, the review of such incidents and measures to address them will continue to be delayed.

According to the policy note of the Tamil Nadu Police Department, POCSO cases registered in recent years have been growing, with as many as 4,589 cases registered in 2023; 4,968 cases in 2022 and 4,465 in 2021.

While the increase in cases also indicates the number of people coming forward to report, activists noted that the trend will continue. “POCSO cases will continue to increase and without a functioning SCPCR, there is no one to monitor the cases, intervene or even investigate the reasons for the increase. Nowadays, not only crimes against children are increasing, but also those committed by children,” said child rights activist A. Devaneyan.

In 2022, the DMK-led government ordered the reconstitution of the SCPCR after dismantling the commission set up by the AIADMK government in 2021. The members approached the court as the term of the commission was three years. However, the SCPCR is still not working.

The commission monitors the implementation of the POCSO Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the Right to Education Act. “Only civil societies have expressed their concern while the commission remains defunct. Keeping the SCPCR in this state is like disrespecting the child,” said child rights activist Andrew Sesuraj.

Activists also noted that the SCPCR requires “more strength” and better budget allocation. “Furthermore, members should be appointed based on their experience and not through political connections,” Devaneyan added.

According to sources in the Department of Child Welfare and Special Services, the commission cannot be established until the judicial process is completed. The department has been monitoring the function of the SCPCR through the secretary of the commission on a case-by-case basis, they added.