Fast-track courts
Topic: Justice Delivery: Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Legal Aid and Judicial Reforms · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Fast-track courts are courts set up to finish certain kinds of cases quickly and so reduce the backlog. About 1,734 such courts were funded by the 11th Finance Commission between 2000 and 2011. From 2019, Fast Track Special Courts were set up for rape cases and for cases under POCSO (the law on sexual offences against children). This scheme was extended to March 2026. They matter because a long delay hurts victims and weakens justice.
Example
A child sexual abuse case can go to a Fast Track Special Court under the 2019 scheme. There it should be heard sooner than in a crowded regular sessions court.
Don't confuse with
- Commercial courts: these specialise in business disputes worth ₹3 lakh or more. Fast-track courts are meant to speed up trials, mainly in serious criminal cases.