PM surprised at only few anti-graft courts functional

Speaking at a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) function, Manmohan Singh said probe was “only one part of the process to bring the guilty (of graft) to book”.

“Trials have also to be conducted, and conducted speedily,” he stressed, adding the government had decided to set up 71 additional special courts for dealing with cases entrusted to the CBI.

“I am told that 64 of these have now been sanctioned but only 16 are operational.”

Manmohan Singh urged Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Prime Minister's Office V. Narayanasamy to pursue the matter with the states and ensure the anti-corruption fast-track courts were set up urgently.

“We have already agreed to reimburse the costs incurred in setting up these courts and it is necessary that the states get persuaded to provide the necessary infrastructure and personnel at the earliest.”

Amid a huge backlog of CBI cases awaiting trial or those that are being heard, the government had in 2009 sanctioned 71 fast-track courts to speed up the prosecution and bring the accused to justice quickly. These were to be established in various states.

The premier probe agency in the past had pointed out that the “weak justice system” was slowing down efforts to net the corrupt and bring them to justice.