Kerala to set up 28 fast track courts for speedy trial of rape & POCSO cases

Kerala government has sanctioned setting up of 28 fast track courts for speedy trial in rape cases and or cases registered under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Kerala Social Justice and Women and Child Development Minister KK Shailaja said in wake of rising crimes against women and children,  state government has decided to set up POCSO courts to ensure that victims are given timely justice.

" Union Law Ministry has recently sanctioned opening of 28 POCSO fast track special courts in Kerala at request of state government. project will be implemented jointly by High Court, Law and Home Departments under leadership of Department of Women and Child Development," Minister said.

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Of 28 fast track courts, four courts have been allocated in Thiruvananthapuram district, three in Thrissur and Malappuram districts, two each in Kollam, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Kozhikode and Kannur districts.

Kerala Minister informed that POCSO courts are being jointly established by central and state governments in consideration of High Court data which reveals that 12,234 cases of POCSO and rape are pending in state.

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Jharkhand approves setting up 22 fast track courts

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday, January 6, approved formation of 22 fast track courts for trial of rape cases. According to reports, this includes cases of mirs under  Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in State as well. Office of Chief Minister tweeted about approval. 

READ | Over 1,000 Fast Track Courts To Be Set Up For Rape Cases

Govt proposes to set up special fast-track courts

Union Government earlier in September last year had proposed to set up a total of 1,023 fast-track special courts for expeditious trial of over 1.66 lakh pending cases of crime against women and children across country.  Department of Justice under Union Law Ministry had stated that special courts are expected to dispose of at least 165 cases per year. 

Furr, as per Supreme Court's direction, out of total courts, 389 courts are expected to exclusively handle all cases that are registered under POCSO Act while remaining courts will be dealing with eir rape cases or both rape and POCSO act cases. 

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(With inputs from ANI)

(Im for representation)