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The Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in Delhi, established under the FTSCs Scheme 2019 for speedy trial of rape and child sexual abuse cases, have disposed of only around 43% of cases as of June 2025. This slow pace undermines public confidence in the justice system despite the existence of dedicated mechanisms.

Key Terms / Concepts

Term	Explanation
FTSCs Scheme 2019	Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Law & Justice for setting up dedicated courts for rape and POCSO cases, funded through the Nirbhaya Fund.
POCSO Act, 2012	Law that provides for protection of children from sexual offences, mandating completion of trials within one year.
Nirbhaya Fund	Government fund created in 2013 to support initiatives for women’s safety.
Vulnerable Witness Deposition Center (VWDC)	Facility to record statements of victims in a safe, private, and child-friendly environment.

About the Fast Track Special Courts Scheme

Aspect	Details
Objective	To provide speedy justice in rape and child sexual abuse cases.
Annual Disposal Target	Each FTSC must dispose of at least 165 cases annually.
Timeline	Extended twice, latest valid till 31 March 2026.
Sanctioned Courts	1,023 sanctioned; aim to establish 790 FTSCs.
Supreme Court Directive	In July 2019, SC directed districts with over 100 pending POCSO cases to set up exclusive special courts.
Operational Status	725 FTSCs (including 392 exclusive POCSO courts) operational in 29 States/UTs as of June 2025.
Performance	Achieved a 96% disposal rate in 2024, but Delhi lags behind at 43%.

Need for FTSCs

Reason	Explanation
Case Backlogs	Large pendency of rape and POCSO cases requiring dedicated attention.
Timely Justice	Mandated by POCSO Act to conclude trials within one year.
Deterrence	Swift justice can improve deterrence against crimes.

Challenges in Fast Track Special Courts

Challenge	Details
Insufficient FTSCs	Only ~700 functional out of 1,023 sanctioned; ~1,000 more required.
Quality Concerns	Fast-tracking certain cases may delay others due to judge reallocation.
Lack of Specialized Support	Absence of victim-friendly infrastructure, counselors, and female prosecutors in many courts.

Measures to Strengthen FTSCs

Measure	Details
Judicial Improvements	Appoint special judges, ensure sensitization training, deploy female prosecutors.
Victim Support Facilities	Establish VWDCs in all districts, conduct in-camera trials, employ child psychologists for support.
Technology in Courts	Introduce audio-video recording, projectors, e-filing, and digital record systems.
Forensic Strengthening	Expand forensic labs, train staff, ensure timely DNA and forensic reports.

In a nutshell

Memory Code: FAST
Forensic boost
Add more courts
Special judges
Technology upgrade.

Prelims Practice Questions

1. Under the FTSCs Scheme 2019, funding for setting up courts comes primarily from which source?
   a) State Government Budget
   b) Nirbhaya Fund
   c) Consolidated Fund of India
   d) National Judicial Infrastructure Fund
2. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
   1. The POCSO Act mandates completion of trials within six months.
   2. The Supreme Court directed the setting up of special courts in districts with over 100 pending POCSO cases.
      a) 1 only
      b) 2 only
      c) Both 1 and 2
      d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers are meant to
   a) Train judges in handling child abuse cases
   b) Record victim statements in a safe and private environment
   c) Store forensic evidence securely
   d) House special prosecutors for sexual offence cases

Mains Practice Questions

1. Despite the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), disposal rates in some states remain low. Discuss the reasons and suggest reforms. 10 Marks
2. The efficacy of the POCSO Act depends not just on strict laws but on their timely implementation. Analyse in the context of FTSCs. 10 Marks

Prelims Answers & Explanations

Qn	Ans	Explanation
1	b	FTSCs are funded through the Nirbhaya Fund under the Ministry of Law & Justice.
2	b	The POCSO Act mandates trials within one year, not six months. SC gave directions for special courts in districts with over 100 pending POCSO cases.
3	b	VWDCs are facilities to record statements of victims in a safe, private, and child-friendly setting.