Bengaluru
The Karnataka High Court has issued a comprehensive Model Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure the protection, care, and rehabilitation of minor victims of sexual offences. The directive, issued by Justice Suraj Govindaraj, will remain in force until the State government finalises a permanent SOP.
Justice Govindaraj observed that despite repeated court directions, compliance by authorities had been lacking. “All these issues can be resolved if a proper SOP is formulated by the Principal Secretary of Women and Child Welfare and the Director General of Police,” he stated.
The SOP aims to create a unified, technology-driven, and time-bound system for handling cases — from the initial report of the offence to the survivor’s complete rehabilitation. It mandates a Digital POCSO Portal (DPP) to manage case data, inter-agency coordination, and monitoring. Each victim will be assigned a Pseudonym Identifier (PID) to safeguard anonymity in all proceedings and documents.
Every minor victim will automatically be treated as a child in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act. Dedicated 24/7 hospital units, staffed by trained female doctors, nurses, and counsellors, will provide medical and psychological support. A Psychological Support Plan (PSP), tailored to each child’s needs, must be prepared within seven days of the offence and monitored for at least two years.
The SOP also ensures victims’ confidentiality, access to welfare schemes, continued education, and safe reintegration into society. If pregnancy results from the offence, a special Integrated Mother-and-Child Care Plan (IMCCP) will guide post-partum care and adoption support.
To measure performance, digital dashboards and key performance indicators will track real-time progress, ensuring accountability and transparency across agencies involved in child protection and rehabilitation.