Fast-track special courts scheme extended till 2031, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Union Cabinet has approved a five-year extension for the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for fast-track special courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO courts.
• The scheme is extended from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031, focusing on expeditious disposal of cases related to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
• The total financial outlay for the extended scheme is ₹3,788.04 crore, with the Central share of ₹2,353.15 crore being met from the Nirbhaya Fund.
• Since its inception in October 2019, 779 functional FTSCs (including 399 exclusive POCSO courts) have disposed of 4,02,457 cases.
• The government plans to operationalise 850 FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO courts, across participating States and Union Territories based on case pendency.

Fast Track Special Courts.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The scheme was initially launched for one year on October 10, 2019, and has received previous extensions to ensure continuity in addressing sexual offence cases.
• Its primary objective is to significantly reduce the backlog of pending cases related to rape and offences under the POCSO Act, 2012.
• Each FTSC is designed to have a dedicated Judicial Officer, a Special Public Prosecutor, and six support staff to facilitate efficient and timely case disposal.
• The continuation of the scheme aims to encourage the establishment of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres and child-friendly court spaces to ease victim testimonies.
• This initiative underscores the government's commitment to prioritizing justice for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, by ensuring quicker legal proceedings and a supportive judicial environment.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): Developmental programs formulated by the Central Government but implemented by State Governments with partial central funding.
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: A comprehensive law enacted to protect children (below 18 years) from sexual assault, harassment, and pornography.
• Nirbhaya Fund: A non-lapsable corpus established in 2013 by the Government of India to support initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women.