TN plans SOP to fast track sexual assault cases, HC seeks status report

The Tamil Nadu government is developing a Standard Operating Procedure to fast-track sexual assault trials. Following submissions by Advocate General Vijay Narayan, the Madras High Court directed the state to present a comprehensive infrastructure status report within two week

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government is preparing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at expediting the investigation, prosecution, and trial of sexual offences against women and children, the Madras High Court was informed on Monday.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan told a division bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan that the government has decided to accord top priority to strengthening the infrastructure required for the speedy disposal of such cases.

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Appearing on behalf of the state, the Advocate General said delays in sexual offence cases often arise during the investigation stage due to the time taken to obtain forensic science reports, particularly DNA analysis. To address this issue, the government is planning to expand DNA testing facilities across the state.

Noting that several regional forensic science laboratories in Tamil Nadu currently lack DNA testing capabilities, resulting in delays in completing investigations and filing charge sheets, he said that the government intends to establish additional facilities and upgrade forensic infrastructure to ensure quicker processing of evidence and faster investigations.

The submissions were made during the hearing of a writ petition filed by a 26-year-old rape survivor who sought the High Court’s intervention over delays in the commencement of trial proceedings in her case.

According to the Advocate General, the petitioner was allegedly raped by two policemen in Tiruvannamalai district in September 2025. He informed the court that a single judge of the High Court had, on June 4, dismissed petitions filed by the accused seeking discharge from the case.

Following the dismissal of those petitions, the trial court framed charges against the accused on June 17, and the trial is scheduled to commence on June 24, he said.

The Advocate General also stressed the need for judicial officers to conduct trials in sexual offence cases on a day-to-day basis. He urged the High Court to sensitise trial judges to ensure that proceedings are completed within the two-month timeframe prescribed under Section 346(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Taking note of the submissions, the division bench directed the Tamil Nadu government and the Registrar General of the Madras High Court to submit a comprehensive report within two weeks. The report is expected to include data on pending sexual offence cases involving women and children, as well as details of existing infrastructure and additional requirements needed to ensure speedy investigation and trial.