As darkness clouds the nation due to the atrocities happening against women, there seems to be a ray of hope during this grave time.
In a promising move, the government told the Parliament that it has formulated a scheme to set up 1,023 fast track special courts (FTSCs) for expeditious trial and disposal of rape cases, including that of minors, reports the Indian Express.
“Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India has formulated a Scheme, on the lines of other Centrally Sponsored Schemes, for setting up of a total of 1,023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for expeditious trial and disposal of rape cases and cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,” a PIB release said.
In a written reply, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said that the scheme would cost Rs 767.25 crore to the state and Central governments, out of which Rs 474 crore would be contributed by the Central government to set up the special courts under the scheme, reports TOI.
The proposal is to set up 218 FTSCs in the State of Uttar Pradesh. However, the decision of the government of Uttar Pradesh in this regard is still awaited.
Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs had sanctioned Rs 100 crores from the ‘Nirbhaya’ Fund for setting up women help desks at police stations across the country. The fund will be used in making the police stations more women-friendly and approachable for any woman walking into the station.
These steps were taken after numerous cases of rape such as the rape and murder of the Hyderabad veterinarian or the brutal act against the 3-year-old girl in Aligarh, surfaced across the country. We hope these schemes help the victims get justice quickly and easily.