Fast-Track Courts Going Slow? Pendency Crosses 10L Cases

Many Stuck For 10 Years; Low Conviction Rate

- Pradeep Thakur

New Delhi: The pendency of cases in fast-track courts (FTCs) have crossed the 10lakh mark as of December 2021, defeating the very purpose of such special courts across the country meant to dispose of long-pending cases of heinous crimes, and crimes against the elderly, women and children.

Out of a total 4.1 crore cases pending in district and subordinate courts, at least 38 lakh have been in trial for more than a decade, including 1.2 lakh cases pending for more than 30 years. FTCs were set up for fast-tracking disposal of long pending cases, particularly those pending for more than a decade.

The long pendency has not only put a strain on the justice delivery system but has caused additional cost and harassment to poor litigants who are facing unending adjournments for decades.