Fast-Track Courts

The proposal to create fast-track courts for appeals involving hate-related offences has revived debate over whether such courts can effectively reduce judicial delays.

What Are Fast-Track Courts?

• Fast-Track Courts (FTCs) are special courts created to expedite trials of serious or priority cases.
• They were recommended by the 14th Finance Commission (2015–20) to address long-pending cases such as murder, kidnapping, property disputes and crimes against women and children.
• In 2019, the Union government launched Fast-Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for rape and POCSO cases.

Can a Fast-Track Court Be Created for One Case?

• Special courts must satisfy Article 14 and cannot be created arbitrarily for a particular individual or case.
• Classification must be based on rational and objective criteria, such as:
  • Nature and seriousness of the offence.
  • Vulnerability of victims.
  • Need for urgent adjudication.
• Speed alone cannot justify selective treatment.

Are Fast-Track Courts Actually Faster?

• Litigants do not automatically get a statutory right to trial within a fixed time.
• Courts have observed that trials should ideally be completed within a reasonable period, but rigid deadlines are generally avoided.
• POCSO trials are expected to be completed within one year and sexual-offence trials within two months, though these timelines are often not achieved.

Present Performance

• As of January 2026, around 862 regular FTCs were functioning across 21 States and Union Territories.
• About 774 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive POCSO courts, were operational across 29 States and UTs.
• The disposal rate of special courts was around 96%, as many cases were heard or dismissed.
• On average, an FTSC disposed of about 9.5 cases per month, compared with nearly 3.3 cases per month in regular trial courts.

Major Challenges

• High pendency continues despite the creation of special courts.
• Many courts face:
  • Shortage of judges and staff.
  • Inadequate physical infrastructure.
  • Poor-quality investigation.
  • Delays in forensic support.
  • Repeated adjournments.
  • Weak coordination among police, prosecution and courts.
• By the end of 2023, more than 2.4 lakh cases were still pending in FTSCs.

Fast-track courts can improve disposal of priority cases, but they are not a complete solution to judicial delay. Their success depends on adequate infrastructure, quality investigation, sufficient judges and effective case management.