Day after the Supreme Court directed setting up of a centrally-funded designated court in each district having more than 100 FIRs under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to deal exclusively with cases of sexual offences against children, the Delhi Cabinet approved the proposal of the Law Department to set up 18 permanent fast-track courts and 22 new commercial courts.
According to the CrPC, cases of rape and incidents of sexual assault against minors under the POCSO Act should be decided in two months after the filing of the chargesheet. Such trials necessitate the existence of fast-track courts.
The Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also approved a proposal of creation of 22 posts of Delhi Higher Judicial Services (DHJS) in super time scale for Commercial Court judges along with ancillary staff.
A total 212 posts, requested by the Delhi High Court in January, have been approved. The Government decision will have the annual financial implication of Rs 13,55,90,280.
When it comes to fast-track courts, Delhi already has 20 of them, all set up in 2005, but they operate entirely with ad-hoc staff.