Mumbai: The first three of 24 fast track courts for the State, which will deal with heinous crimes like rape and murder, will be set up in Mumbai and Thane within a year, of which the latter will get two. The other 21 courts will be set up in the districts.
The fast track courts were recommended by the 14th Finance Commission to strengthen judicial systems in the States, and the Centre accordingly ordered the setting up of 1,800 such courts across the country within five years. Other recommendations by the Commission included mediation centres, more family courts, centres for dispute resolution, technical staff for scanning and digitisation, law schools and more Lok Adalats. The Centre has set aside ₹4,114 crore for this project, officials said.
Maharashtra is second on the list of beneficiary States and has been allocated ₹469 crore; Uttar Pradesh will be given ₹488 crore for establishing fast track courts. States like Gujarat, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh were allocated ₹400 crore, ₹338 crore and ₹306 crore respectively. The order for setting up the courts in the State was issued by the Law and Judiciary Department on Saturday.
The first recommendation to set up fast track courts was made by the 11th Finance Commission, which asked for 1,700 such courts before 2005. The Supreme Court then asked the Centre to continue with the project through the 14th Finance Commission.
Neeraj Dhote, legal advisor and Joint Secretary, Law and Judiciary Department, said, “144 posts for legal and judicial officers will also be created to deal with crimes including murder, rape, human rights violations, domestic violence, crime against women and elderly, revenue and land fraud. Money will be provided in phases over five years to the State.”
