Mumbai/Bengaluru: The cases of harassment of children registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) has increased around three times within a year and Karnataka stands in the 9th place.

At present, in the country, there are 90,205 cases under POCSO Act, which are in the final stage of the trial. Just a year ago, this number was 27,558. Though there are 597 special courts, 459 public prosecutors and 729 special police stations for the POCSO cases, there is not much success in solving the cases earlier.

According to the POCSO Act, the trial should end within one year after lodging of FIR. The special courts are under the direct supervision of the High Courts. Still, it is astonishing that so many POCSO cases are pending in the country.

In the list of states, according to the pending cases, Karnataka stands in 9th place with 3,529 cases. Maharashtra tops the list with 17,338 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh- 15,938, Madhya Pradesh- 10,950, Kerala- 5,637, Delhi- 4,769, West Bengal-4,316, Rajasthan- 4,011, Gujarat- 3,606 and Chattisgarh- 2,562.