Special courts will be set up at the district-level to try cases related to crimes against women, Minister for Women and Child Development H K Kumaraswamy announced in Bangalore on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Pramila Nesargi, Kumaraswamy said the move will help in speedy disposal of cases and providing justice to women. The government has been concerned over the increase in cases of atrocities against school and college girl students and anganawadi workers recently, he said. Last year, 762 cases of crimes against women, including 135 rape incidents, were reported.  He demanded that the Centre bring in a legislation to make rape and other crimes against women a non-bailable offence.