Over 2 lakh cases pending in fast-track courts, says Centre, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Over 2.45 lakh cases were pending in Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) across India as of December 31, 2025.
• The Union Law Ministry presented this data in Parliament following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for new fast-track courts for paper leak cases.
• As of April 30, 2026, 775 FTSCs were functional across 29 States and Union Territories, including 398 exclusive POCSO courts.
• These courts were specifically established for the expeditious disposal of rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 cases.
• In 2025, FTSCs registered 1,43,936 new cases but managed to dispose of only 66,500.

Detailed Insights:

• The significant backlog in FTSCs highlights challenges in achieving speedy justice despite dedicated judicial mechanisms.
• The establishment of FTSCs was a crucial step to address the high number of cases involving sexual offenses, particularly against vulnerable groups.
• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, mandates special courts to ensure child-friendly procedures and timely resolution of cases.
• The substantial disparity between new cases filed and cases disposed of indicates a need for enhanced judicial infrastructure and staffing.
• Parliamentary inquiries sought details on funding, disposal rates, and measures to address vacancies and infrastructure gaps in these courts.
• The e-Courts Project aims to computerize the judicial system, which could potentially improve case management and efficiency in FTSCs.
• The call for new fast-track courts for paper leak cases adds to the existing burden on the judicial system, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): Dedicated courts established for the expeditious disposal of specific categories of cases, primarily sexual offenses.
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: A comprehensive law enacted to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, mandating special courts for its cases.
• National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms: A government initiative aimed at reducing pendency and improving efficiency in the Indian justice system.