Srinagar, August 1 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir has only 4 operational Fast Track Special Courts under the Centre's Nirbhaya Fund scheme, including 2 exclusive POCSO courts, making it one of the states with the lowest number of such courts in India.

The information was shared in the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Law and Justice in response to a question on the performance and expansion of FTSCs across the country. The scheme is aimed at the speedy trial of rape and POCSO cases and is currently funded jointly by the Centre and States.

According to official data, since the inception of the FTSC scheme, 808 cases have been instituted in Jammu and Kashmir and only 311 cases have been disposed of as of June 30, 2025 which reflects a disposal rate of less than 40%.

In terms of efficiency, Jammu and Kashmir's FTSCs report an average trial time of 1,095 days for rape cases and 730 days for POCSO cases which translates to roughly 3 years and 2 years, respectively. These timelines are among the higher ranges in the country and indicate a continued delay in justice delivery for victims of sexual offences.

To address this, the Government of India has extended the FTSC scheme until March 31, 2026, with a total financial outlay of ?1,952.23 crore, of which ?Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel1,207.24 crore is to be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund. A total of ?1,034.55 crore has been released to States and UTs so far under the scheme, with ?8.58 crore allocated to Jammu and Kashmir since 2019.

The Ministry stated that funds cover salaries for judicial officers, seven support staff per court, and flexible grants for daily operations. The courts are also supported through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Judicial Infrastructure, which aims to improve court buildings, residential units, computer rooms, and toilets across district and subordinate courts, including FTSCs.

Officials added that delays in case disposal are caused by a mix of issues including infrastructure gaps, staff shortages, complexity of evidence, and frequent adjournments. The recruitment of judges and court staff in FTSCs, as per the Constitution, is the responsibility of the State Government and the High Court of J&K and Ladakh.

The Ministry also confirmed that regular review meetings are being held via video conferencing with States and High Courts. Letters have been sent to Chief Ministers and Chief Justices, urging compliance with time-bound processes under the POCSO Act and new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.(KNS)