Cabinet approves continuation of 1,023 fast track special courts scheme till March 2023

Context

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of 1,023 fast track special courts, including 389 exclusive POCSO courts, as a centrally sponsored scheme till 2023.

About the Scheme on Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)

• Launched in:
• The Scheme on Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) was brought for the expeditious disposal of cases related to the rape and protection of children against sexual offenses under the POSCO act.
• The scheme was started by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice.
• It sets up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) across the country.
• Aim: It aims for the effective implementation of Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2018 for targeted disposal of pending rape & POCSO.
• Funding: The scheme will be funded on a 60:40 ratio.
• Coverage: Currently, 28 states are covered under the scheme.

The expected outcomes of the scheme are as follows:

• Championing the cause of safety and security of women and girl child.
• Reduce the number of pending cases related to the Rape & POCSO Act.
• Provide speedy access to justice for the victims of sexual crimes and act as a deterrent for sexual offenders.
• Fast-tracking of such cases will de-clog the judicial system of the burden of pending cases.

Why the scheme was started?

• The occurrence of incidents of rape of minor girls below the age of twelve years and women below the age of sixteen years and prolonged trials had necessitated the creating of dedicated court machinery to expedite the trial and provide immediate relief to the victims of sexual offenses.
• For this reason, the scheme for fast-track special courts was started under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.