State v. Arjun & Meena (POCSO Special Court Jurisdiction)
Madras High Court2026 SCC OnLine Mad 988Bench: J. P.B. Balaji
The Madras High Court held that the POCSO Special Court has jurisdiction to try all charges arising out of the same transaction, including charges under BNS/IPC against co-accused who are charged with abetment under Section 16 POCSO or general abetment provisions. Section 28 POCSO designates a Sessions Court or Additional Sessions Court as a Special Court — it does not strip the court of its general jurisdiction over connected offences. Splitting the trial would be contrary to the mandate of Section 220 BNSS / Section 223 CrPC (joint trial of persons charged with same or connected offences) and would defeat the purpose of the POCSO Special Court as a child-victim-centric tribunal. The abetment charges against accused no. 2 were directed to be tried jointly before the POCSO Special Court.