Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)

What is Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)?

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) are specialized courts established to expedite the trial of cases involving sexual offenses and offenses under the POCSO Act. They aim to provide speedy justice to victims and ensure timely disposal of cases.

Historical Background

The establishment of FTSCs was recommended by various committees and commissions to address the backlog of cases involving sexual offenses. The Central Government launched a scheme in 2019 to support the establishment of FTSCs across the country.

Key Points

10 points

1.
Established under a Central Government scheme with financial assistance to states
2.
Dedicated to hearing cases related to sexual offenses and offenses under the POCSO Act
3.
Aim to dispose of cases within a specified timeframe, typically within one year
4.
Staffed with trained judicial officers and support staff
5.
Employ special procedures to expedite trials, such as day-to-day hearings and limited adjournments
6.
Monitor the progress of cases and identify bottlenecks in the trial process
7.
Coordinate with other stakeholders, including police, prosecutors, and child welfare committees
8.
Funded by the Nirbhaya Fund, which was created to support initiatives for women's safety
9.
Number of FTSCs varies across states, depending on the caseload and availability of resources
10.
Face challenges such as shortage of judges, infrastructure, and trained personnel

Visual Insights

Recent Developments

5 developments

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Increased number of FTSCs established across the country

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Monitoring of the performance of FTSCs by the Supreme Court and High Courts

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Efforts to address the challenges faced by FTSCs, such as shortage of judges and infrastructure

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Integration of technology in FTSC proceedings to improve efficiency

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Debate on the effectiveness of FTSCs in improving conviction rates in POCSO cases

Source Topic

POCSO Act: Faster Trials, Weaker Convictions, and Justice Gaps

Social Issues

UPSC Relevance

Important for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Social Justice) and GS Paper 3 (Law and Order). Questions can be asked about the objectives, functioning, and challenges of FTSCs. Relevant for both Prelims and Mains.