(a) whether the Government has proposal to set up special fast track courts across the country to hear rape cases, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise along with the objectives thereof;
(b) the details of the funds likely to be sanctioned for this and the details of the target likely to be set for this project; and
(c) whether any time limit for investigation of all cases of rape has been fixed, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State for Law & Justice and Corporate Affairs
(SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (c): The Government has decided to prepare a scheme to set up fast track special courts to decide rape cases exclusively and to strengthen such courts where they already exist. The Government has promulgated the ‘The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 effecting amendments inter-alia in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 such as in Section 173(1A) to provide that investigation in all rape cases shall be completed within two months from the date on which information was recorded by the Officer-In-Charge of Police Station. A Bill to replace this Ordinance has been passed by the Lok Sabha on 30.07.2018.
Further, the Union Government had submitted a Memorandum to the 14th Finance Commission for strengthening of the judicial system in states at an estimated expenditure of Rs.9749.00 crore, which, inter-alia, included establishment of 1800 Fast Track Courts for cases of heinous crimes involving senior citizens, women, children, including rape cases etc at an estimated expenditure of Rs.4144.00 crore. The Commission endorsed the proposal of the Government and urged the State Governments to use the additional fiscal space provided in the form of enhanced tax devolution (from 32% to 42%) to meet funding requirements for setting up the fast track courts. A total number of 727 Fast Track Courts have been, thus, set up in the country.