Parliament Question: Establishment of Fast-Track Courts in Uttarakhand

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4697 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 20TH MARCH, 2026 ESTABLISHMENT OF FAST-TRACK COURTS IN UTTARAKHAND †4697. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) whether it has been brought to the notice of the Government that a proposal has been approved to set up fast-track courts in Uttarakhand to expedite the judicial process; (b) if so, the number of new fast-track courts targeted to be set up in the State; (c) whether necessary judicial and administrative posts have been sanctioned for the functioning of these courts; and (d) the manner in which the progress of this initiative is being monitored by the Government for speedy disposal of pending cases? 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) & (b): As per the recommendations of the Fourteenth Finance Commission (2015-2020), Fast Track Courts (FTCs) have been established for dealing with cases of heinous crimes, cases involving senior citizens, women, children etc. As of 31.01.2026, 862 Fast Track Courts are functional in various States/UTs including 4 FTCs in the State of Uttarakhand. Further, pursuant to the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, the Central Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts since October 2019. These courts are dedicated to the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. As of 31.01.2026, 774 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts are functional in 29 States/UTs, including 4 FTSCs in the State of Uttarakhand. These courts have collectively disposed of 3,71,849 cases since the inception of the Scheme. The primary responsibility of setting up of District and Subordinate Courts including Special Courts falls within the domain of the State/UT in consultation with the respective High Courts, as per its need and availability of resources. Accordingly, the States/UTs have designated/dedicated POCSO Courts and Fast Track Courts. These Courts are in addition to the FTSCs established under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The Department remains fully committed and actively engages with States and UTs to get more FTSCs operationalized. On the request of Government of Uttarakhand, 3 additional FTSCs [Dehradun (Vikasnagar), Udham Singh Nagar (Kashipur) and Nainital District Hq] have been allocated to State. 1(c): As regards the recruitment of judges and staff in courts, filling up of vacant positions of the judicial officers in District and Subordinate courts is the responsibility of the State 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 respective State Government in consultation with the High Court frames the rules regarding the appointment and recruitment of Judicial Officers. (d): To strengthen functioning of FTSCs, regular review meetings are held via Video Conferencing with the States/UTs and the High Courts. The Hon’ble Minister of Law & Justice has written to Hon’ble Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of the High Courts regarding need for timely action and strict compliance with timelines under the POCSO Act and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. In addition, the performance of FTSCs is a regular agenda item in the Inter-State Zonal Council meetings to improve inter-governmental coordination and expedite justice delivery. Further, as per the information received from the High Court of Uttarakhand, monitoring of cases pertaining to the Fast Track Special Courts under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme has been entrusted to the “Committee for Matters pertaining to Juvenile Justice, POCSO & Under Trial Prisoners”. **** 2