Centre Says Fast-Track Courts in Jammu Kashmir Have Disposed of Over 300 Cases Since 2019 | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir currently has four functional Fast-Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for crimes against women and children, including two exclusive courts under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. These courts have collectively disposed of 338 cases since the launch of the national scheme in 2019. The information came in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, citing data from the Department of Justice, told the Upper House that 773 FTSCs, including 400 exclusive POCSO courts, are operational across 29 States and Union Territories as of September 30, 2025. Since the inception of the scheme, these courts have disposed of 3,50,685 cases, with more than 2,25,000 handled by exclusive POCSO courts.

The scheme was launched in October 2019 after the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2018 and Supreme Court directions calling for expedited trials in rape and POCSO matters. Extended twice, it now runs until March 2026 and envisages 790 courts with a total financial outlay of Rs 1952.23 crore, including a Central share of Rs 1207.24 crore under the Nirbhaya Fund.

The government said the responsibility for operationalising FTSCs lies with State and UT governments and the High Courts, while the Centre provides financial support for judicial officers, support staff and operational expenses. It acknowledged that delays in case disposal persist due to systemic issues such as shortages of judges, limited support staff, infrastructure gaps, dependency on forensic reports and frequent adjournments.

To address these concerns, the Department of Justice holds regular review meetings with States and UTs, reallocates courts based on evolving needs, and operates a national dashboard for monitoring court performance. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also introduced a POCSO Tracking Portal to enhance coordination between welfare bodies, legal services authorities and State agencies.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the four FTSCs place the Union Territory among the smallest networks in the country, far behind larger States with more extensive judicial infrastructure. The government said uneven implementation across regions is linked to varying levels of administrative readiness and resource availability.

The Centre added that upgrades in infrastructure, capacity-building and monitoring mechanisms will continue through 2026 to strengthen the delivery of justice in cases involving women and children.