Over 1000 Fast Track Special Courts to be set up for speedy disposal of rape, POCSO cases

Over 1000 Fast Track Special Courts will be set up across the country for speedy disposal of cases relating to rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Out of these, 389 courts have been proposed to be set up exclusively for POCSO Act related cases in districts where the pendency of such cases is more than 100. The Law Ministry has said, these courts will be set-up as a part of the National Mission for Safety of Women.

It said, the scheme was circulated to the concerned State Governments and Union Territory Administrations in September last year.

The Ministry said, 24 States and Union Territories have joined this scheme for setting up 792 Fast Track Special Courts. These include 354 exclusive courts for trial of POCSO offences. The Ministry said, 216 POCSO courts are already functional in 12 States.

Incidents of rape and gang rape of minor girls below twelve years and similar heinous crimes against women have shaken the country. These offences require effective deterrence through time- bound trial. For this purpose, the Centre has enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.