PM Modi welcomed the Cabinet’s approval of a five-year extension of the Fast Track Special Courts scheme with an outlay of Rs. 3,788.04 crore, aiming to accelerate rape and POCSO trials, reduce case backlogs and ensure timely justice.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval of a five-year extension of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), saying the initiative would help ensure faster justice for victims of sexual offences, particularly women and children.
Reacting to the Cabinet decision, Modi wrote on social media platform X, “From less delay to faster justice!” He said the continued operation and expansion of these specialised courts would strengthen the country’s judicial system and accelerate the disposal of pending cases involving rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The extended scheme has a total financial outlay of Rs. 3,788.04 crore, comprising a Central Government share of Rs. 2,353.15 crore and a state and Union Territory share of Rs. 1,434.89 crore. The Central Government’s contribution will be financed through the Nirbhaya Fund, which supports initiatives aimed at improving the safety and security of women.
Under the extended programme, the government plans to increase the number of operational Fast Track Special Courts from the existing 779 to 850 across the country. The expansion will be determined based on the pendency of rape and POCSO cases in different districts.
Each Fast Track Special Court will have a dedicated judicial officer, an exclusively assigned Special Public Prosecutor and six support staff members. This arrangement is intended to ensure focused hearings, improve case management and facilitate the speedy disposal of pending cases.
The Central Government will continue providing financial assistance to state governments and Union Territory administrations to meet the operational expenses of these courts according to the approved funding pattern.
The continuation of the scheme is expected to address the substantial backlog of rape and POCSO cases and ensure timely trials for victims. It also aims to create a more supportive judicial environment through child-friendly and victim-centric procedures.
As part of these efforts, the programme provides for Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres and specially designed courtroom facilities. These arrangements are intended to make the judicial process more comfortable and secure for vulnerable witnesses, particularly children and survivors of sexual offences.
The scheme also seeks to improve access to justice by prioritising cases involving women and children, who often face additional challenges during lengthy legal proceedings.
The Department of Justice will oversee the implementation of the extended scheme in coordination with state governments and Union Territory administrations. Authorities will monitor progress through the Fast Track Special Courts Dashboard, periodic progress reports and expenditure statements. Regular consultations with High Courts and state administrations will also form part of the monitoring mechanism.
The Fast Track Special Courts scheme was originally launched on October 2, 2019, following the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, and directions issued by the Supreme Court. It was introduced to strengthen the judicial response to sexual offences and ensure time-bound trials.
Currently, the scheme is operational in 29 states and Union Territories. Of the 779 functional courts, 399 are exclusive POCSO courts dedicated to handling cases involving offences against children.
Since its launch, these courts have collectively disposed of 4,02,457 cases, reflecting their contribution to reducing the backlog of sensitive criminal cases and improving access to specialised judicial proceedings.
| Also Read: Kolkata Police Arrests Dhrubojyoti Basu in Alleged Durga Puja Pass Scam |
The fresh five-year extension is expected to further strengthen the country’s judicial infrastructure and expand the capacity to handle cases involving sexual violence. By increasing the number of specialised courts, providing dedicated judicial personnel and improving facilities for vulnerable witnesses, the government aims to make the justice delivery system more efficient, accessible and responsive.
The initiative places women and children at the centre of the justice process, with the broader objective of reducing delays, strengthening victim protection and ensuring timely legal outcomes in cases of sexual offences.
