Fast Track Courts

"Justice delayed is justice denied." — William Ewart Gladstone

• Introduction: Fast Track Courts were first introduced in 2000 on the recommendation of the 11th Finance Commission to clear the backlog of pending cases.
• Continuation: Due to their effectiveness, FTCs have been extended multiple times, with the central government providing financial assistance to states for their operation.
• Nirbhaya Fund: After the 2012 Nirbhaya case, the government established additional FTCs under the Nirbhaya Fund to expedite trials related to sexual offenses.

• Expedited Justice: Deliver judgments quickly, typically within 6 months to 1 year.
• Reduce Pendency: Clear the massive backlog of cases in regular courts.
• Specialized Focus: Handle specific categories of cases like sexual offenses, crimes against children, and corruption.
• Victim Support: Provide a more victim-centric approach through quicker resolution.

• Jurisdiction: State governments are responsible for establishing FTCs, while the judiciary oversees their functioning.
• Judges: Retired judges, experienced lawyers, and serving judicial officers are often appointed to preside over these courts.
• Technology Integration: Many FTCs use video conferencing and digital documentation to speed up proceedings.

• Timely Justice: Ensures justice is served without undue delay, particularly in sensitive cases.
• Reduced Case Backlog: Relieves the burden on regular courts by addressing cases on a priority basis.
• Increased Public Confidence: Strengthens trust in the judiciary by demonstrating swift justice.
• Support for Vulnerable Groups: Provides faster relief for victims of heinous crimes.

• Lack of Infrastructure: Inadequate courtrooms, judges, and support staff.
• Case Overload: FTCs often face an overflow of cases, slowing down their efficiency.
• Quality of Judgment: Rapid proceedings may sometimes compromise the quality of judgments.
• Limited Geographical Reach: FTCs are not uniformly established across all regions.

• Strengthening Infrastructure: Allocate funds for better courtrooms, technology integration, and judicial resources.
• Judicial Appointments: Ensure timely appointment of qualified judges to minimize delays.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement regular assessments to monitor the performance of FTCs.
• Legal Awareness: Conduct awareness programs to inform citizens about their rights and access to FTCs.

Fast Track Courts play a crucial role in delivering justice swiftly and efficiently. While they have shown significant progress in reducing case backlogs, further improvements in infrastructure, judicial capacity, and procedural reforms are essential. Strengthening FTCs will ensure justice is not only done but also seen to be done, upholding the principles of a fair and responsive judiciary.