The number of Pocso cases continues to rise steadily across Karnataka, with Belagavi district being a significant contributor. Each month, the district reports between 12 and 15 cases, with around four cases registered from Belagavi city alone. Despite consistent reporting, only a limited number of these cases result in a conviction.
According to data from the police department, 434 Pocso cases were registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act between 2023 and the first week of June 2025. Year-wise figures show 157 cases in 2023, 180 in 2024, and 97 cases registered up to June 10, 2025, across both the district and city police commissionerate limits. The district has witnessed an annual rise of about 15 to 16% in Pocso case registrations.
Bengaluru leads in Pocso cases, followed by Mysuru, Chikkaballapur, Tumkur, and Shivamogga. Belagavi district stands sixth in the state in terms of the number of Pocso cases. Police data indicates that nearly every district in Karnataka reports at least 100 Pocso cases annually.
Although the number of cases continues to grow, convictions remain low. Superintendent of Police Dr. Bhimashankar Guled stated that in 2024, 12 convictions were secured for Pocso cases registered between 2015 and 2024. In 2025, courts convicted 9 individuals in similar cases. From the 2023 batch, only five cases have resulted in convictions so far. Of the 2024 cases, just 2 have resulted in sentencing, while the remaining cases are still under trial. Cases from 2025 are presently in the investigation or trial stages.
Legal experts attribute the low conviction rate to multiple factors: false accusations, procedural lapses in charge sheets, lack of witness cooperation due to threats or involvement of relatives, and weak investigation at the initial stages. The poor conviction rate is being viewed as one of the factors contributing to the rising trend in case registrations.
Pocso Cases in Belagavi (Source: District Police Department)
| Division | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (till June 10) |
| District Police Limit | 117 | 135 | 77 |
| City Police Commissionerate | 40 | 45 | 20 |
| Total | 157 | 180 | 97 |
| Convictions | 6 | 2 |
