Discuss the role of Fast Track Special Courts in ensuring speedy justice for victims of sexual offences. What administrative and infrastructural bottlenecks hinder their full operationalisation?

Q. Discuss the role of Fast Track Special Courts in ensuring speedy justice for victims of sexual offences. What administrative and infrastructural bottlenecks hinder their full operationalisation? (15 marks, 250 words)

Launched in October 2019 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme following the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and Supreme Court Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019, Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) — including exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) courts — aim to expedite trial of rape and child sexual abuse cases, funded through the Nirbhaya Fund [1][3].

Role in ensuring speedy justice - Time-bound disposal: dedicated courts cut pendency; over 3,34,213 cases disposed since inception (as of 30.06.2025) [4]. - Reduced secondary victimisation: exclusive e-POCSO courts spare child survivors prolonged, repeated trauma [4]. - Deterrence and access to justice: swift conviction operationalises enhanced 2018 penal provisions and the POCSO Act, 2012, strengthening survivors' faith in the system [3]. - Wide reach: 775 FTSCs (398 e-POCSO) functional across 29 States/UTs (30.04.2026) [1].

Administrative and infrastructural bottlenecks - Federal coordination gaps: as a CSS, it depends on States/High Courts identifying locations, judges and infrastructure; repeated "temporary extensions" (31.03.2026 → 30.09.2026) reflect slow rollout [1]. - Shortfall against target: 775 functional against the revised 790-court target, with uneven inter-State uptake [1][2]. - Staffing and infrastructure: vacant judicial and support posts, and inadequate court halls, delay full functioning [1]. - Funding utilisation: chronic under-utilisation of the Nirbhaya Fund limits capacity creation [3].

FTSCs are a vital instrument for gender-responsive justice under Article 21's right to speedy trial. Assured multi-year funding, timely State compliance and full staffing can help realise SDG-5 and SDG-16 commitments.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), PIB — functional courts, e-POCSO subset, extension timeline 2. Cabinet approves continuation of FTSC Scheme for three years, PIB — ₹1,952.23 crore outlay, 790-court target 3. Scheme of Fast Track Special Courts, PIB — enabling laws, Nirbhaya Fund, ₹1,207.24 crore Central share 4. Swift Justice, Safer Society: Impact of FTSCs, PIB — cumulative disposal of 3,34,213 cases since inception