Fast track courts set up for sexual offences

At a time when people in every nook and corner of the country are demanding speedy trial for cases related to sexual offences, Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday inaugurated special fast track courts to try cases of rape and crimes against women.

Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Justice M M Kumar inaugurated third additional district judge (TADA), Jammu, besides four other fast track courts to deal with the sexual offence cases.

Court of second additional district and sessions judge, Srinagar, court of first additional district and sessions judge, Baramulla, court of additional district and sessions judge, Anantnag and court of additional district and sessions judge, Pulwama are the four fast track courts.

To clear the huge pendency of rape cases in the Valley, the state high court had sought commissioning of eight courts of the rank of district and sessions judge as fast track courts.

No delay

“Since it would have taken time to create new fast track courts, it was resolved to earmark five existing courts to exclusively try rape cases to provide succour to the victims. This will not brook any delay in the policy of high court to deliver timely justice,” an official spokesperson said.

The high court has also sought the creation of 10 fast track courts of the rank of civil judge to look after the cases pertaining to offences against women at magistrate level.