Parliament Question: Functioning of Special Courts under RPwD Act, 2016

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

(DIVYANGJAN) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 5094 TO BE ANSWERED ON- 24/03/2026 FUNCTIONING OF SPECIAL COURTS UNDER RPWD ACT, 2016

5094. SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a): the details regarding the total number of Special Courts constituted under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, State-wise;

(b): the details regarding the number of judicial and staff vacancies in these Special Courts, State-wise;

(c): the details regarding the total number of cases filed, disposed of and pending before these courts during the last five years, classified year and State-wise;

(d): the details regarding the average time taken for disposal of cases under the RPwD Act in these Special Courts, State-wise; and

(e): the measures taken by the Government to strengthen infrastructure and manpower of RPwD Special Courts and ensure speedy justice to persons with disabilities? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE& EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B L VERMA)

(a): Under Section 84 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, for the purpose of providing a speedy trial, the State Governments are mandated to designate, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification, for each district a Court of Session as a Special Court to try offences under the said Act. As per the data available, most of the States have reported designation/notification of Special Courts.(b) to (d): The details of number of judicial staff in special courts, number of case files, average time to dispose cases etc. of a State come under the purview of the respective State Government.

(e): The Section 12 of the RPwD Act, 2016 provides for equal access to justice to persons with disabilities. The RPwD Act, 2016 also provides for accessibility of physical infrastructure, which includes the structures housing special courts.

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