Fast-Track Courts in India: Enhancing Legal Expediency

Fast-Track Courts (FTCs) in India: Simplifier

Q: What are Fast-Track Courts (FTCs)?

A: FTCs are special courts established in India to expedite the resolution of specific cases, primarily heinous crimes like sexual offenses and crimes against women and children, as well as certain civil cases.

Q: Under which law were FTCs established?

A: FTCs are set up under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and its successor, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023.

Q: Who is responsible for setting up and funding FTCs?

A: Setting up and funding FTCs falls under the domain of State Governments in consultation with their respective High Courts.

Q: What is the role of the Central Government in the establishment of FTCs?

A: The Central Government plays a supportive role by providing financial assistance through schemes like the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme and urging State Governments to prioritize the establishment of FTCs.

Q: What types of cases are handled by FTCs?

A: FTCs primarily deal with:

• Heinous crimes like rape and cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act
• Civil cases related to women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those with terminal illnesses
• Property-related cases pending for over 5 years

Q: What is the current status of FTCs in India?

A: As of mid-2024, 758 FTSCs, including 412 exclusive POCSO Courts, are functional in 30 States/UTs. These courts have disposed of more than 200,000 cases.

Q: What are the challenges faced by FTCs?

A: Some of the challenges include:

• Resource limitations in terms of funding and personnel
• Overburdening due to a wide jurisdiction and high case volume
• Limited scope in some states, focusing only on sexual offenses
• Inefficient investigations and lack of access to modern forensic tools

Q: How can the functioning of FTCs be improved?

A: Potential solutions include:

• Increased allocation of resources by State Governments
• Adoption of technology like digital case management systems and e-filing
• Expansion of jurisdiction to include other high-pendency cases
• Improvement in investigative processes and forensic capabilities

Synopsis: Fast-track courts are a crucial component of India's judicial system, aimed at ensuring speedy justice for victims of heinous crimes and other specific cases. Established under the CrPC (now BNSS), these courts are set up and funded by State Governments with financial support from the Central Government through various schemes. While FTCs have shown progress in disposing of cases, their effectiveness is often hampered by challenges such as resource constraints, overburdening, and limited scope. Addressing these challenges and leveraging technology can help FTCs achieve their full potential in delivering timely justice.