Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts Extended for further 3 years
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th Nov. The Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Fast Track Special Court (FTSC) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026. The financial implication of this scheme is Rs. 1952.23 crore, with Rs. 1207.24 crore as the Central Share and Rs. 744.99 crore as the State share.
The Central Share will be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund. The scheme was launched on October 2, 2019. The government’s top priority is to ensure the safety and security of women and children. This is evident through various initiatives such as the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program. Incidents involving crimes against girls and women have deeply impacted the nation.
The frequency of such incidents and the lengthy trials of offenders led to the establishment of dedicated courts that can expedite trials and provide immediate relief to victims. As a result, the Central Government enacted The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, which introduced stringent punishment, including the death penalty for offenders. This led to the creation of the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs).
FTSCs are designed as dedicated courts to ensure swift dispensation of justice and provide quick relief to victims. They also strengthen the deterrence framework for offenders. In August 2019, the Union of India formulated a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to establish FTSCs for the timely disposal of cases related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act).
Following the directions of the Supreme Court of India, the scheme mandated the establishment of exclusive POCSO Courts for districts with over 100 POCSO Act cases. Initially launched for one year in October 2019, the scheme was extended for an additional two years until March 31, 2023. Now, it has been further extended until March 31, 2026, with a financial outlay of Rs. 1952.23 crore, funded from the Nirbhaya Fund.
Implemented by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of FTSCs supports State Governments in establishing FTSCs across the country.
So far, 30 States/Union Territories have participated in the scheme, resulting in the operation of 761 FTSCs, including 414 exclusive POCSO Courts.
The expected outcomes of the scheme are to reflect the nation’s commitment to ending rape and gender-based violence, substantially reduce pending cases, ensure swift access to justice for victims, and lessen the burden of cases on the judicial system.
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