Mangaluru : The sexual assault and Prevention of Children for Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the districts get precedence over other criminal cases in the courts said, M.C. Nanaiah, former Law Minister and Chairman of expert committee looking into cases of sexual assault in the State.

Chairing the meeting held at Zilla Panchayath Auditorium here on Wednesday, Mr. Nanaiah said the courts designated to try cases of sexual assault in the districts are also dealing with cases of murder and other cognisable crime. “We want such courts to give preference to sexual assault cases over other criminal cases.” Mr. Nanaiah said the demand in this regard came at a meeting of the committee with public prosecutors held recently.

With such a preference, Mr. Nanaiah said, such courts would have problem of keeping pending cases of murder in which accused has been in custody for more than five years. “But we are in favour of courts giving preference for sexual assault cases.” Mr. Nanaiah said the committee will be writing a letter in this regard to the Government, which, he said, was also in favour of expediting sexual assault cases. The State Government has to write a letter to the Karnataka High Court, he added.

Earlier Mr. Nanaiah and other members of the committee on Wednesday heard from representatives of various women organisations the problems faced by victims of sexual assault.