Parliament Question: Decline in conviction rate in fast-track courts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 121 ANSWERED ON – 29/01/2026 DECLINE IN CONVICTION RATE IN FAST-TRACK COURTS 121 # Shri Ramji Lal Suman: Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the conviction rate in the country’s fast-track courts, including those in Uttar Pradesh, has declined in 2024 as compared to 2023; (b) the details of conviction rate in fast-track courts, State-wise; (c) the reasons for decline in the conviction rate; and (d) the details of shortage of human resources in fast-track courts, State-wise? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL) (a) to (c): The Fast Track Courts (FTCs) for providing speedy justice are set up by the States/UTs in consultation with the respective High Courts, as per their requirements and availability of resources. In this regard, the 14th Finance Commission recommended the setting up of 1800 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) during the period 2015–2020 for expeditious trial of specific categories of cases including heinous crimes, civil cases involving women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, individuals afflicted with terminal illnesses, and property- related cases pending for more than five years. As per information received from the High Courts, 879 FTCs are functional across 22 State/UTs as on 31.12.2025. Since Fast Track Courts are administered by the High Courts and funded by the States/UTs without any support from the Central government, the Department does not maintain data regarding conviction rate exclusively in FTCs. However, it may be noted that the conviction rates depend on multiple inter-related factors beyond the institutional framework of FTCs. These factors include quality of investigation, 1complexity of facts involved in the case, nature and quality of evidence and co-operation of stakeholders viz. bar, investigation agencies, legal representation, forensic support, witnesses and litigants. Therefore, conviction rates are not necessarily reflective of court performance and must be understood holistically taking into consideration all the verticals across the criminal justice system including police, forensic labs and lawyers. Courts are mandated to deliver justice in accordance with law, which may include acquittal of the accused. (d): As regards the recruitment of judges/prosecutors and staff in courts, filling up of vacant positions of the judicial officers in District and Subordinate courts including the Fast Track Courts (FTCs) is the responsibility of the State/UT Governments and the concerned High Courts. As per the Constitutional framework, in exercise of powers conferred under proviso to Article 309 read with Articles 233 and 234 of the Constitution, the State/UT Government in consultation with the respective High Court frames the rules regarding the recruitment and appointment of Judicial Officers. *** 2