755 Fast Track Special Courts functioning in 30 States, UTs

     New Delhi, July 26, 2024: A total of 755 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including 410 exclusive Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) (e-POCSO) Courts are functional in 30 states and union territories across the country.

     As per the information received from the High Courts up to May, 2024, 755 FTSCs including 410 exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts are functional in 30 States/UTs across the country, which have disposed of over 2,53,000 cases, Union Ministry of Law and Justice has said.

     Pursuant to the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2018, the Central Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts since October, 2019 for expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases pertaining to Rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, in a time-bound manner.

     The Scheme was initially implemented for one year, which was extended up to March, 2023.  The Scheme has now been extended till 31.03.2026, at an outlay of Rs. 1952.23 crore with Rs 1207.24 crore as Central Share to be incurred from Nirbhaya Fund.

     The funds are released on CSS pattern (60:40, 90:10) to cover the salaries of 1 Judicial Officer along with 7 support Staff and a Flexi Grant for meeting the day-to-day expenses, the Ministry said.

     The establishment of Fast Track Special Courts demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Government towards women security, combating sexual and gender-based violence, reducing the backlog of pending cases related to Rape & POCSO Act, and providing enhanced access to justice for survivors of sexual crimes.

     With professional and experienced judges and support staff specialized in handling sensitive sexual offense cases, these courts ensure consistent and expert-guided legal proceedings offering victims of sexual offences swift resolution in mitigating the trauma and distress, and enabling them to move forward.

     Fast Track Special Courts have notably adopted the approach of setting up Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers within the courts to facilitate the victims and to make the courts into Child-Friendly Courts for providing crucial support for a compassionate legal system, it said.