PM Modi wants fast-track courts for paper leak cases, but backlogs are mounting
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for establishing fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials in paper leak cases, data tabled by the Union
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for establishing fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials in paper leak cases, data tabled by the Union Law Ministry in Parliament on Friday (July 24, 2026) showed that the country’s existing Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) are burdened with a backlog of 2.45 lakh pending cases. Also read: Jantar Mantar protest updates on July 24, 2026 The Law Ministry’s response came on a question raised by BJP MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur Sikri Rajkumar Chahar and BJP MP from Rewa (Madhya Pradesh), Janardan Mishra. The two had asked about the number of FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO courts, in the country and the number of cases instituted, disposed of and pending before these courts in the past three years.
The MPs sought details of funds released and utilised under the FTSC scheme for these courts during the period and measures taken to improve disposal rate of cases and address shortage of vacancies along with infrastructure gaps in FTSCs. Responding to the queries through a written reply, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal informed the Lok Sabha that 775 FTSCs, including 398 exclusive POCSO courts, were functional across 29 States and Union Territories as of April 30, 2026. These courts were established for the expeditious disposal of rape and POCSO cases. He informed that the courts have 2,45,579 pending cases as of December 31, 2025.
According to the data shared by the Minister, FTSCs registered 1,43,936 new cases in 2025 but disposed of only 66,500, pushing pendency up from 2,04,122 cases at the end of 2024 to 2,45,579 by 2025-end. The backlog had stood at 2,02,175 cases in 2023. The Ministry said the FTSC scheme, launched in October 2019, has been temporarily extended until September 30 this year. Since its inception, the Centre has released ₹1,259.51 crore to States and Union Territories for the functioning of these courts. The reply noted that the government has been holding regular review meetings with States and High Courts to improve the functioning of FTSCs and that the Law Minister had written to Chief Ministers and Chief Justices stressing adherence to statutory timelines.
The responsibility for filling vacancies of judicial officers and staff rests with the respective State governments and High Courts, the response said.
The BriefWire