Haryana Leads North India in Fast-Track Courts, Punjab Lags Behind

Haryana has quietly moved ahead of other northern states in setting up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), a key step aimed at speeding up trials in sensitive cases, particularly those involving crimes against children.

As per data shared in Parliament by Arjun Ram Meghwal, Haryana currently has 18 such courts, out of which 14 are exclusively handling cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. This puts the state ahead of its neighbours in terms of judicial readiness for dealing with these cases.

In contrast, Punjab has 12 FTSCs, but only three are exclusively meant for POCSO cases. Himachal Pradesh has six courts, half of which are dedicated to such cases. The numbers reflect a broader concern. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were more than 2,000 cases of POCSO offenses in Haryana in 2023, which is higher compared to Punjab.

Needless to say, the need for a speedy trial has become more pressing. In other states, Chandigarh has only one fast-track court, but there are no exclusive POCSO courts. Jammu and Kashmir have four, including two exclusive courts for dealing with child cases.

At the national level, Uttar Pradesh has a clear lead with more than 200 FTSCs. States like Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Rajasthan also have a stronger presence in this space.

Across the country, more than 770 fast-track courts are now functioning. The duo has tackled lakhs of pending cases, providing some respite to an already overcrowded judicial system.

But setting up courts is only part of the solution. In its report, a Parliamentary panel has pointed out that funds provided for these courts are not always utilized in an efficient manner. The larger point remains that faster courts need to translate into faster justice.