TNN Sep 12, 2012

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has decided to set up five fast-track courts exclusively for cases of sexual assaults on women to ensure speedy justice to the victims. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of Delhi cabinet presided over by chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

“We have decided to set up the fast-track courts to deal with the cases of sexual assault on women,” Dikshit said. She said the cabinet has approved creation of 40 posts under different categories for the purpose.

The city government had last year requested the Delhi high court to set up such courts. In its letter, the government had requested that one fast-track court be set up in each of the nine districts.

In its response, the high court told the government that the additional session judges deal with such cases and if it wants these cases to be dealt with and tried by special courts or fast-track courts, then the government may set up separate courts.

On June 16, 2011, in a meeting chaired by chief secretary P K Tripathi it was decided that five posts of additional district and sessions judge will be created and supporting staff will be provided. It is estimated that to create these posts and to make way for the fast-track courts an expenditure of Rs 1.58 crore is likely to be incurred annually.