AP's new policing system leads to rise in convictions under POCSO Act, rape cases in 2022

Amaravati: A shift to conviction-based policing by the Andhra Pradesh police is reportedly giving good results in punishing the culprits in the state. The new policing system was implemented across the state in June 2022.

According to the official reports, 21 culprits were sentenced in 2021 under POCSO Act. This year, under the conviction-based policing system, a total of 90 criminals were punished under POCSO Act in a span of six months. Among the total, 42 were given life imprisonment.

Also, 44 people were convicted for rape and murder of women in 2022. This is a significant increase from 2021 when the figure was just 5.

What is conviction-based policing?

Under this new system, each unit officer in their jurisdiction (SP/CP) is assigned at least five major cases (given prior to crime against women). The unit officer will review the trials in court and make sure they are conducted without any delay. The unit officer will also ensure that no criminal escapes from the crime he/she committed.

The main aim behind this is that a unit officer will help avoid any kind of threat to the victims and ensure quick punishment for the criminal. The data on convictions is regularly updated to the director general of police (DGP) K.V Rajendranath Reddy.

Further, finding that the court monitoring system implemented to resolve disputes in the court is only limited to issuing notices related to the cases, the DGP asked the officials to strengthen the system. He asked the officers to ensure the cases are not delayed and the offenders are punished.