Legal Reasoning Questions for CLAT | QB Set 43

India crossed a much-publicised milestone in 2025 — fast track special courts cleared more child sexual offence cases than registered that year under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. They recorded a 109% disposal rate and closed 87,754 cases against the 80,320 registered.

Commentaries have hailed this as a turning point in the fight against child sexual abuse, by suggesting that courts have finally broken the backlog. However, new data and field reports point to a different tipping point where disposals rise but convictions fall and thousands of children remain stuck in long trials with little support.

The POCSO Act, passed in 2012, was designed as a special law because earlier provisions on rape and molestation under the Indian Penal Code and women’s protection laws failed to recognise the particular nature of offences against children. POCSO promised child-friendly procedures, time-bound trials and a system that would see and hear children differently from adult survivors.

More courts but convictions fall short

India now runs 773 fast track special courts, 400 of them designated for POCSO cases. Fast track special courts started in October 2019 with ₹1,952 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund after orders by the Supreme Court of India. And these courts cleared 3,50,685 cases by September 2025. These courts handle 9.51 cases a month compared to 3.26 in regular courts. Even so, convictions and child support still fall short.

Convictions have actually gone down from 35% back in 2019 to 29% across the country by 2023. If we take the baseline figure of 35% in 2019, a 90% disposal rate in 2023 would mean that conviction should have risen to 45%. But it is 29% instead, which is 16 points lower and 36% short of what should be expected. The bottom line is that clearing cases faster means weaker convictions, not better justice. Fast track courts average just 19%. In a number of States, there are more accused walking free than being put behind bars. Tens of thousands of cases drag on for years.

Children who testify in POCSO cases have particular needs that go beyond quick hearings and formal compliance with the law. They require trained support persons, sensitive police and lawyers, and child welfare committees that can secure compensation and care while the trial is ongoing, not years later. When these protections remain on paper, higher disposal rates coexist with fragile convictions, thin reparations and children who leave the system more harmed than healed.

But the trend reveals a darker truth.

[Source: The Hindu, 12 Jan 2026]

Question 1

Principle:
A justice system aimed at protecting vulnerable groups must prioritise the quality of outcomes, such as fair convictions and adequate support, rather than focusing only on speed and numerical efficiency.

Facts:
A State government highlights that its fast track POCSO courts have disposed of 95% of pending cases within a year. However, reports show that conviction rates have fallen sharply, forensic reports are delayed, and child victims receive little psychological or rehabilitative support during trials.

Which of the following best reflects the concern raised in the passage?

A. High disposal rates conclusively prove that justice delivery has improved for child victims.
B. Faster disposal without adequate convictions and support undermines the purpose of POCSO.
C. Declining conviction rates are irrelevant if cases are completed quickly.
D. Speedy trials automatically ensure child-friendly justice.

Correct Answer: B

Question 2

Principle:
Special laws like the POCSO Act require not only procedural compliance but also sensitive implementation aligned with the law’s protective intent.

Facts:
In a POCSO trial, the court strictly follows timelines and completes hearings quickly. However, the child is examined without a trained support person, police investigations are hurried, and charge sheets lack critical forensic evidence.

Based on the passage, which conclusion is most appropriate?

A. Procedural speed alone satisfies the objectives of the POCSO Act.
B. The absence of delays compensates for investigative shortcomings.
C. The implementation fails to meet the child-centric purpose of POCSO.
D. Such trials strengthen convictions due to faster completion.

Correct Answer: C

Question 3

Principle:
A rise in case disposal rates accompanied by falling conviction rates may indicate systemic weaknesses rather than genuine improvement in justice delivery.

Facts:
Data from several States show that fast track POCSO courts dispose of more cases per month than regular courts. However, acquittals outnumber convictions, and many accused persons are released due to weak evidence.

What does the passage suggest this trend most likely indicates?

A. Accused persons are falsely implicated in most POCSO cases.
B. The legal standard for conviction under POCSO is excessively high.
C. Emphasis on disposal targets is weakening prosecutions.
D. Faster courts naturally result in more acquittals.

Correct Answer: C

Question 4

Principle:
Child-friendly justice requires continuous care and protection for child survivors throughout the trial process, not merely a final verdict.

Facts:
A child survivor in a POCSO case receives compensation only after the trial ends five years later. During the trial, no counselling or welfare support is provided, despite repeated court appearances.

According to the passage, which statement best captures the problem?

A. Delayed compensation is legally acceptable if the trial ends in conviction.
B. Long trials are unavoidable and do not affect child welfare.
C. Final outcomes matter more than interim support.
D. Lack of ongoing support defeats the rehabilitative intent of POCSO.

Correct Answer: D

Question 5

Principle:
Performance metrics in criminal justice must align with substantive justice goals rather than administrative targets alone.

Facts:
Judicial authorities assess fast track courts primarily on the basis of how many cases they close annually, without reviewing conviction quality or child welfare outcomes.

Which inference is most consistent with the passage?

A. Measuring success only by disposal figures risks superficial justice.
B. Administrative efficiency is the sole purpose of fast track courts.
C. Conviction rates are unrelated to justice quality.
D. Child protection laws function independently of implementation quality.

Correct Answer: A