Massive backlog in fast-track courts NEW DELHI: Fast-track special courts, which are meant to complete trials within a year of taking cognisance of offences related to rape and Pocso Act, have not been working at the expected speed. In 2025, which saw more than 1.4 lakh rape and Pocso cases being registered, only 66,500 were disposed of.The backlog of cases had reached 2.5 lakh on Dec 31, 2025. The trend has been similar over the last three years, with the total pendency at over 2 lakh. Since fast-track special courts were constituted in 2019, case pendency has always been around 2 lakh over the last seven years despite the scheme mandating time-bound trials.”The scheme has been extended twice, with the last extension valid up to March 31, 2026, for establishment of 790 fast-track special courts. The scheme has now been extended up to Sept 30 this year,” law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed Parliament in a written response Thursday.Justice delayedThe minister added that according to information made available by high courts, 775 fast-track special courts, including 398 exclusive Pocso (e-Pocso) courts, were functional in 29 states/Union Territories as of April.Centre and states share expenditure on these courts in a 60:40 ratio. This covers the salaries of one judicial officer along with seven support staff for each fast-track court, in addition to a grant for meeting day-to-day expenses.Since the inception of the scheme, Centre has released Rs 1,260 crore to states and UTs to ensure the courts functioned smoothly, Meghwal said.The minister said he had written to chief ministers and Chief Justices of high courts regarding the “need for timely action and strict compliance with timelines under Pocso Act and BNSS”.Meghwal, however, said it was the responsibility of states and HCs to recruit judges and fill vacant positions of judicial officers in district and subordinate courts, including fast-track ones.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCJP To Collect Protest Videos, Identify Police Personnel, Seek FIRs Over July 20 CrackdownCabinet Approves Tougher Anti-Paper Leak Bill; Up To 10-Year Jail And Rs 10 Crore Fine ProposedDelhi Police Fact-Checks Viral Claim On Passport Cancellation Of CJP ProtestersCentre Seeks Time Till Saturday On Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation Demand, Says CJP After TalksMassive Anti-Terror Sweep After Anantnag Terror Attack, Omar Abdullah Questions ActionUS Slaps 10% Tariff on India! Is This a Trade Warning or a Big Win for Indian Exports?Delhi Police Special Cell Probe Into Violence Against 129 Personnel, 11 FIRs Registered | WatchSonam Wangchuk Ends Fast After Centre’s Written Assurances As Delhi Remains Under Lockdown MeasuresCJP Protest: Injured Protester Returns, Another Searches For Missing StudentIndia Conducts Maiden Flight Test Of Long-Range ‘Kusha’ Air Defence Missile System123PhotostoriesKyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’s Apara Mehta on separation with husband; recalls husband Darshan Jariwala saying, ‘I’ve Fallen Out of Love, You’re the Ugliest Woman’What happens when you mix bay leaves and vinegar and use it in the kitchen?Why Indian women wear toe rings: The forgotten meanings across different statesShubhanshu Shukla carried 3 Indian dishes to space: 9 other desi dishes that made to space in pastFeeling emotionally drained? These 5 things may be weighing you downDia Mirza’s ivory anarkali is so graceful, it leaves maximalism searching for attention10 beautiful baby names inspired by timeless musical instrumentsInternational self-care day 2026: Every Indian woman puts everyone first; these 9 signs say it’s time to choose yourselfFrom Sandwich to Nachos: 10 international dishes named after famous real peopleThe untold story of the Shroud of Turin: A fabric wrapped in faith and science123Hot PicksSchool holiday todayDelhi metroCJP ProtestMumbai rainGujarat RainAIIMS notificationNEET paper controversyAAI recruitment 2026Caitline ClarkTop TrendingMP NEET Arpirant RapeNEET Paper LeakCJP Protester AssaultedKerala IPS Ajith Kumar SuspensionAssam Flood DeathsDelhi Metro Stations ClosedMumbai ProtestUP Amroha WeddingHarbhajan singhIND U19 vs Sri Lanka U19
NEW DELHI: Fast-track special courts, which are meant to complete trials within a year of taking cognisance of offences related to rape and Pocso Act, have not been working at the expected speed. In 2025, which saw more than 1.4 lakh rape and Pocso cases being registered, only 66,500 were disposed of.The backlog of cases had reached 2.5 lakh on Dec 31, 2025. The trend has been similar over the last three years, with the total pendency at over 2 lakh. Since fast-track special courts were constituted in 2019, case pendency has always been around 2 lakh over the last seven years despite the scheme mandating time-bound trials.“The scheme has been extended twice, with the last extension valid up to March 31, 2026, for establishment of 790 fast-track special courts. The scheme has now been extended up to Sept 30 this year,” law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed Parliament in a written response Thursday.
Justice delayed
The minister added that according to information made available by high courts, 775 fast-track special courts, including 398 exclusive Pocso (e-Pocso) courts, were functional in 29 states/Union Territories as of April.Centre and states share expenditure on these courts in a 60:40 ratio. This covers the salaries of one judicial officer along with seven support staff for each fast-track court, in addition to a grant for meeting day-to-day expenses.Since the inception of the scheme, Centre has released Rs 1,260 crore to states and UTs to ensure the courts functioned smoothly, Meghwal said.The minister said he had written to chief ministers and Chief Justices of high courts regarding the “need for timely action and strict compliance with timelines under Pocso Act and BNSS”.Meghwal, however, said it was the responsibility of states and HCs to recruit judges and fill vacant positions of judicial officers in district and subordinate courts, including fast-track ones.