Fast Track Special Court Opens in Rourkela to Expedite Justice in POCSO and Rape Cases

Bhubaneswar: A Fast Track Special Court (FTSC) was officially inaugurated in Rourkela, Odisha today, with the virtual inauguration presided over by Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Acting Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court. Several other judges from the Orissa High Court were also in attendance.

This newly established FTSC in Rourkela has a primary focus on cases related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and rape cases. Its core mission is to expedite the delivery of justice in these sensitive matters.

Justice Sarangi emphasized the significance of Fast Track Special Courts in expediting justice delivery for POCSO offences and crimes against women. He expressed optimism that the Rourkela FTSC would effectively fulfil this objective, urging the Presiding Officer to prioritize the expectations of waiting litigants.

Additionally, Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra, the Administrative Judge of Sundargarh Judgeship, called on judicial officers assigned to Fast Track Special Courts to rise to the occasion and meet the aspirations of the litigants.

The surge in crimes against women and children prompted the Supreme Court of India to issue guidelines and directives to ensure swift justice in such cases. As a response to these guidelines, both the central and state governments collaborated to establish Special Courts for expediting cases under the POCSO Act and crimes against women.

Following this scheme, 20 Fast Track Special Courts have already been inaugurated in District Headquarters towns. Notably, Rourkela now stands as the first outlying station to have its own Fast Track Special Court. This development reflects the commitment to achieving timely and effective justice in sensitive cases.