Fast Track Courts for Corruption Cases

Fast Track Courts are set-up by the State Governments in consultation with the respective High Courts. The Eleventh Finance Commission recommended a scheme for creation of 1,734 Fast Track Courts (FTCs) in the country for disposal of long pending Sessions and other cases. The term of scheme of Fast Tract Courts which were recommended by the Eleventh Finance Commission ended on 31st March, 2005. The Government accorded its approval for the continuation of 1562 Fast Track Courts that were operational as on 31.3.2005 for a further period of 5 years i.e. up to 31st March, 2010. The scheme was further extended for a period of one year i.e. upto 31.3.2011 and it was decided that there will be no central funding for Fast Track Courts beyond 31.03.2011. The State Governments can however continue the Fast Track Courts from their own resources.

Giving this information in written reply to a quesion in the Lok Sabha today, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law & Justice, said that Fast Track Courts established under the Eleventh Finance Commission funding were set-up to expeditiously dispose of long pending cases in the Sessions Courts and long pending cases of under trial prisoners. Government has no proposal to set-up Fast Track Courts exclusively for hearing the cases pertaining to corruption. However, Government has decided to set up 71 additional courts of Special Judges to try cases under Prevention of Corruption Act investigated by CBI to facilitate quicker disposal of long pending cases by applying the norm of not more than 50 cases in each court. State Governments have been requested to set-up the Special Courts. Out of these 71 Additional Courts to be set-up, orders of 68 courts have been issued and 30 courts have started functioning. 46 Special Courts are already in existence in addition to 71 Additional Courts referred to above.