Parliament Question: Establishment of Fast Track Special Courts

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2120 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 31st JULY, 2026 ESTABLISHMENT OF FAST TRACK SPECIAL COURTS 2120. SMT. SHAMBHAVI: SHRI RAJESH VERMA: DR. LATA WANKHEDE: SHRI ARUN BHARTI: DR. D. PURANDESWARI: Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) whether the proactive establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) has ensured speedy justice, providing great safety and timely justice for common women and children; (b) if so, the monumental number of pending rape and POCSO cases successfully and rapidly disposed of by these dedicated special courts during the last two financial years; (c) whether this time-bound judicial mechanism has successfully created a massive deterrence against heinous crimes, significantly boosting the everyday safety of ordinary citizens in their neighbourhoods; (d) the details of the immense Central financial assistance provided to State Governments to instantly operationalise these courts with sensitive, child-friendly witness examination rooms; and (e) the future roadmap planned to mandate strict digital monitoring of these courts by the High Courts to ensure zero adjournments in cases involving vulnerable minors? 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): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme to set up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO (ePOCSO) courts, was launched in October, 2019, for the expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Initially, the Scheme was for the establishment of 1,023 FTSCs, including 389 exclusive POCSO Courts. The Scheme has been extended twice, with the last extension 1valid up to 31.03.2026 for establishment of 790 FTSCs. The Scheme has been temporarily extended upto 30th September, 2026. As per the information made available by the High Courts, as of 30.06.2026, 779 FTSCs, including 399 exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts, were functional in 29 States/UTs. Since the inception of the Scheme and up to 30.06.2026, these courts have disposed of 3,96,940 cases, while 2,56,097 cases remain pending. During the last two financial years, the disposal of cases by FTSCs is as under: Financial Year Cases Disposed 2024–25 84359 2025–26 62884 2026-27 (till 30.06.2026) 14371 The objective of the FTSC Scheme is to provide time-bound justice to victims by establishing FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO (ePOCSO) Courts, across the country, ensuring the timely disposal of rape and POCSO Act cases. Recently, an impact evaluation of the FTSC Scheme was carried out by NITI Aayog, which observed that the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) Scheme has demonstrated significant effectiveness in achieving its objectives of expeditious justice, reducing pendency, and providing a supportive environment for victims of sexual offences, particularly women and children. (d) & (e): The funds under the FTSC Scheme are released on the pattern of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (Central share: State share :: 60:40, 90:10) to cover the cost of such court. The funds are reimbursed to the States/UTs after receipt of the expenditure statements from them. The Department has released a sum of ₹1259.51 crore to the States/UTs since its inception to ensure the smooth functioning of the courts. As regards child-friendly infrastructure, Fast Track Special Courts have been encouraging the use of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres within existing court complexes to facilitate victims and to promote a child-friendly judicial environment. Further, with a view to conduct periodic training programmes for manning and managing the VWDCs and sensitizing all stakeholders, the Supreme Court constituted a committee chaired by Justice Gita Mittal, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir. As per the report submitted by the Committee, most of the High Courts have since adopted the Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDC) Scheme, with training programmes conducted covering over 10,000 participants. 2To strengthen the 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. ***** 3