‘Can’t recall witnesses to testify repeatedly’

When the Criminal Original Petition moved by one Sakthivel came up for hearing, Justice Anand Venkatesh said, “The Pocso Act has clearly prescribed limitations recalling witnesses more particularly the victim of crime. Section 33(5) of the Act prohibits calling a victim to the court repeatedly to testify.”

As per the case, Sakthivel is facing trial for an offence under various sections of Pocso Act. Five witnesses were examined on February 6, 2017. However, even though represented by a counsel, the petitioner chose not to cross examine the witnesses.

Thereafter, after more than a year, he moved an application under section 311 of Cr.P.C. to recall the five witnesses for cross examination. This was rejected by the Mahila Court on March 7 mainly on the ground that in a case involving a victim under Pocso Act, the victim should not be repeatedly exposed before the court to recall the traumatic experience and there is a clear bar under Section 33(5) of the Pocso Act.

Justice Anand Venkatesh also held that if the counsel representing the petitioner was not well on that day, nothing prevented the petitioner from filing a petition immediately for recalling the said witnesses.

“There is absolutely no explanation as to why it took a year and a half for the petitioner to file a petition seeking to recall the witnesses.”