Lok Sabha Question No. 3428 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-17
Subject: Speedy Justice System for Crimes Against Women
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shiromani Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3428 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2021

## SPEEDY JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN

## †3428. SHRI RAMSHIROMANI VERMA:

## Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to fix any time-limit to ensure speedy justice in  increasing  cases  of  heinous  crimes  such  as  rapes,  harassment,  etc.  against women; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) & (b): Disposal of pending cases in courts is within the domain of the judiciary. No  time  frame  has  been  prescribed  for  disposal  of  various  kinds  of  cases  by  the respective courts. Government has no role in disposal of cases in courts. Timely disposal of  cases  in  courts  depends  on  several  factors  which,  inter-alia,  include  availability  of adequate  number  of  judges  and  judicial  officers,  supporting  court  staff  and  physical infrastructure,  complexity  of  facts  involved,  nature  of  evidence,  co-operation  of  stake holders viz. bar, investigation agencies, witnesses and litigants and proper application of rules and procedures. There are several other factors which may lead to delay in disposal of cases.  These, inter-alia, include vacancies of judges, frequent adjournments and lack of adequate arrangement to monitor, track and bunch cases for hearing.

The  Central  Government  is  fully  committed  to  speedy  disposal  of  all  cases including cases involving offences against women in accordance with Article 21 of the Constitution  and  reducing  pendency.  The  Government  has  taken  several  initiatives  to provide  an  ecosystem  for  faster  disposal  of  cases  by  the  judiciary.  The  Fourteenth Finance Commission endorsed the proposal of the Government to strengthen the judicial system in States which included, inter-alia, establishing Fast Track Courts for cases of heinous  crimes;  cases  involving  senior  citizens,  women,  children  etc.,  and  urged  the State Governments to use the additional fiscal space provided in the form of enhanced tax devolution form 32% to 42% to meet such requirements. As on 31.10.2021, 914 Fast Track Courts are functional for heinous crimes, crimes against women and children etc. Further,  Government  has  approved  a  scheme  for  setting  up  1023  Fast  Track  Special Courts  (FTSCs)  across  the  country  for  expeditious  disposal  of  pending  cases  of  Rape under  IPC  and  crimes  under  POCSO  Act.  As  on  date,  28  States/UTs  have  joined  the scheme for setting up of 842 FTSCs including 363 'exclusive POCSO Courts'. Rs.140 crore was released in the financial year 2019-20 and Rs. 160.00 crore has been released during the financial year 2020-21 for the scheme. 681 FTSCs are presently functional including 381 exclusive POCSO Courts, which disposed 64217 cases as on 31.10.2021. The  continuation  of  the  Scheme  of  FTSC  has  been  approved  for  another  two  years (2021-23) at a total outlay of Rs. 1572.86 crore, including Rs. 971.70 crore as Central share.

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