5 fast track courts for sexual assault cases by Jan 3

Five special fast-track courts to deal with cases of sexual assault on women will be set up in the city by January 3, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said today.

Amid the outrage over brutal gang-rape of a 23-year-old girl, Dikshit last week had requested Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Darmar Murugesan to immediately make functional five fast track courts as per a recommendation of Delhi Government.

Later the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court sent a communication to Delhi Government informing that the recommendation for setting up of the fasttrack courts has been accepted.

"The fast-track courts will be operationalise by January 3 next year," Dikshit said.

Senior officials said Delhi Government will provide all necessary resources for effective functioning of the fast-track courts.

The Delhi Cabinet in October had approved the proposal to set up the courts and later the decision was conveyed to the High Court so that it could make functional the courts.

In her letter, Dikshit had suggested to Justice Murugesan that bail should not be given to those involved in heinous crimes against women.