A recent study has revealed that Uttar Pradesh holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest backlog of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act in India. The state accounts for a staggering one-third of all such pending cases nationwide.
A Heavy Burden of Pending Cases
The analysis, conducted by the Centre for Legal Action and Behaviour Change for Children (C-LAB), found that out of approximately 1.2 lakh Pocso cases registered across the country over the past two to ten years, a massive 40,228 are from Uttar Pradesh alone. This translates to one in every three pending Pocso cases in India originating from the state.
Purujit Praharaj, Director of Research at C-LAB, explained this high pendency by pointing to Uttar Pradesh's size and population. "UP, being the largest state, sees more cases registered every year. Compared to its population size, judicial infrastructure is not that adequate," he stated.
Signs of Improvement in Case Disposal
Despite the daunting backlog, there are positive signs of progress in clearing cases. In 2025, up to December 2, Uttar Pradesh registered 19,039 new Pocso cases but disposed of 17,879, achieving a disposal rate of 94%.
This improvement is part of a national trend. For the first time in five years, India's overall disposal rate for Pocso cases reached 109%, meaning more cases were resolved than were newly instituted. The C-LAB study credits the establishment of fast-track special and dedicated Pocso courts in several states for this turnaround.
Major district courts in Uttar Pradesh's National Capital Region have shown remarkable efficiency. In 2025, the Ghaziabad court achieved a 123% disposal rate, resolving 2.3 lakh cases against 1.8 lakh new registrations. Similarly, the Noida court disposed of 2.4 lakh cases against 2 lakh new filings, a disposal rate of 120%.
Praharaj noted that this high disposal rate indicates courts are catching up, and the backlog's growth could soon halt if the momentum continues.
The Persistent Challenge of Low Convictions
While case disposal rates are rising, the picture remains bleak when it comes to securing convictions. The national average conviction rate for Pocso cases in 2024 was a mere 19%. Uttar Pradesh performed slightly better at 25%, but this is still far below states like Meghalaya (45%), Mizoram (34%), and Nagaland (26%).
A former special Pocso judge from Ghaziabad highlighted that the gap between disposal and conviction rates points to deeper systemic issues. "Pocso cases require sensitive handling and strict adherence to norms, which takes time. When cases are dealt with properly, the prosecution rate improves," the judge added.
A member of the C-LAB study team suggested that states with higher conviction rates likely benefit from stronger systems for investigation, prosecution, trial management, and psychosocial support for victims and their families.
In light of these findings, the C-LAB study strongly recommended the expansion of fast-track special courts, which have proven vital in reducing pendency and speeding up justice for children.
