Cases pile up but city fast track courts remain headless

 The very purpose of setting up fast track courts in the city for speedy justice in women related cases appears to be defeated.

HYDERABAD: The very purpose of setting up fast track courts in the city for speedy justice in women related cases appears to be defeated. It has been two years since two fast track courts were set up to attend to cases related to crimes against women. However, with no full-time Judge appointed till date, number of victims who received justice stands at zero. 

According to official records, both the courts have around 200 pending cases. A year ago, the IVth additional metropolitan sessions judge was given additional charge for these courts. Only recently, the charge was handed over to Ist additional metropolitan sessions judge and scheduling of cases has begun.   
While lack of a full-time judge added to the pendency of cases, this is not the only reason, pointed out members from legal fraternity. Some victims prefer to settle out of court due to poverty.

They prefer to compromise as they do not have resources to appear at courts on trial days, which is mostly uncertain. “In one case, at trial, when the accused finally appeared after several postponements, the victim’s parents who were present asked the judge what was the point of judgement as their daughter was no more,” informed a source.  

Moreover, even before the cases come to the court, the delay in the chargesheet has been a long-existing problem. In case of rape, delay is expected as medical reports are necessary. But, there is delay in filing chargesheet also in cases like groping or outraging of modesty. “All that is required here is the victim’s statement and a couple of witnesses,” pointed the source. Apart from this, the compensation to these victims is also being delayed. 

Life imprisonment for man who raped daughter 
Among the 175 POCSO cases pending in these courts since 2015, a 48-year-old was sentenced for life on Friday. He was booked under the POCSO Act for raping his 12-year-old daughter. The accused indulged in the act which was witnessed by his wife, the victim’s mother. She tried to stop him, but failed, when the neighbour, came to the child’s rescue, and took them to her house. The father has also been slapped with a fine of `2000.

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