Government to set up Fast Track Special Courts in every state and UT to try rape cases

This is an attempt of capacity building measures in rape investigation, trial and prosecution matters.

New Delhi: Very soon Fast Track Special Courts will be a reality across the country for quick disposal of rape cases. The Central government has written a letter to every state government and Union Territory of the country to constitute such Fast Track Special Courts for the quick disposal of the rape and sexual harassment cases. This is an attempt of capacity building measures in rape investigation, trial and prosecution matters.

The way increasing number of rape cases in the country have been reported in the country, especially of the minors, now the government wants not just to expedite such cases but also wants other aspects of this matter to be taken care of in a very efficient manner.

Sources said that first the government wants to set up Fast Track Special Courts where only rape matters will be prosecuted; Second the government is looking at making provisions for forensic kits; Third dedicated and trained manpower for investigation of such matters and fourth strengthening of forensic laboratories.

Sources said that the scheme would have components coming under domain of a number of different departments of the government and agencies but scheme will be implemented in a mission mode with a full time Mission Director so that coordinated and focused attention is given to its implementation. The responsibility of the Mission Director would be to coordinate with different agencies to meet their requirement for setting up these infrastructures across the country. He will be coordinating with the Union home ministry. The government wants to do it as soon as it could.

A senior government official will provide inputs in respect of gaps in forensic infrastructure and assessment of requirement for forensic laboratories and special forensic kits in respect to different states and Union territory. Sources informed that director National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) will provide data pertaining to pending rape cases separately for states and Union Territory and metropolitan cities including rape cases registered under POSCO.

Sources also informed that director NCRB submit a detailed project proposal preparation of national database of sex offenders and link it with Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), with definite timelines for various activities and realistic financial requirements. The proposal would take into account the report prepared by Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) on the offenders' registry. Sources informed that a cabinet not will be prepared and sent to the cabinet for its approval.