Unless Police Reforms are Given a Filip, Fast-track Courts are of Little Help!

• At the outset, Indian citizens will vociferously vouch they need not be reminded about the mounting pending cases across various courts of the country. Crores of pending cases and millions of undertrials languishing in jails speak volumes about how ineffective our justice delivery system has been over the decades. The mere mention of the court produces cynical reactions from the Indian citizens since the experience of undergoing visits to jails seeking relief/justice is anything but pleasant. Moreover, the expenses incurred by ordinary citizens while seeking relief/justice from the courts are out of the question for the majority. We know how the cases drag on and on for years without any breakthrough. We have seen, heard, and experienced it all.

PC:ET Government

• Successive governments at both the Centre and States have undertaken measures to speed up the process of the justice delivery system by setting up desired infrastructure, appointments of judicial officers, and establishing fast-track courts. But the situation on the ground hasn’t shown drastic improvements in the absence of police reforms including the forensic deficits witnessed. Note that with an almost 50% pendency, fast-track courts are of little help when there are policing and forensic deficits. RG Kar’s horror forced junior medics in several cities to strike work in solidarity with Kolkata’s doctors’ strike. Sadly, the RG Kar horror may just become another poster on India’s wall of shame that captures the failure to provide credible closure.
• After almost a month, the investigation that CBI took over has morphed into a corruption case, while the agency agrees the prime suspect arrested by Kolkata police has glaring inconsistencies in his claims of innocence. Meanwhile, Bengal instituted a new law that promised justice within days for all such crimes. The Aparajita Women and Child Bill, 2024 seeks the investigation of rape cases to be completed within 21 days of the FIR filed. And 30 days to complete the trial. Fast-track special courts to process crimes against women, as a central scheme, exist. The scheme was extended last Nov till 2026. The Centre’s share of continuing the scheme will be drawn from the Nirbhaya Fund – Rs.1,207cr of the total Rs.1,952cr cost.

PC: Outlook India

• Around 851 such fast-track courts are operational India-wise. In the last five years, they have resolved 2.1L cases. Over 2L cases are pending, per a response in Parliament this Feb. With a pendency of almost 50%, they are as clogged as regular courts. The 14^th Finance Commission had recommended setting up 1,800 fast-track courts at a total cost of Rs.4,144cr during 2015-2020. Now, we know where we stand. Pendency in forensics, poor staffing, and deep political interference in brutal sexual crimes together make for a quick meal of fast-track courts. Until funds follow the talk, the hurry to do right offers little respite. The political class, irrespective of party affiliations, should walk the talk to speed up the process of the justice delivery system.