Despite laws being hauled up and the special courts set up to handle cases pertaining to violence against women, these courts are mired in pending cases, especially since the number of recorded sexual assault cases have more than doubled in the national capital.
There are six fast-track courts in Delhi which disposed of around 400 rape cases till November this year. However, data reveals that 1,090 cases are still awaiting justice in fast-track courts till date. On the other hand, 963 cases did not get justice in 2012, although regular courts decided 500 cases in Delhi in 2012. In 2011 and 2010, judgments were delivered in 650 and 700 cases respectively.
A Constitution expert says that there has been a sharp rise in the number of registered sexual offence cases, adding that this has increased the pressure on courts, especially when it comes to cases of crime against women.
Senior advocate KK Manan said, ‘There should have been more fast-track courts. After the 16 December gang rape, more cases of rape and molestation were reported. But not enough fast-track courts exist to deal with the escalated reports of crimes against women. Earlier, these cases could be tried in any court. However, now there is an increased pressure on fast-track courts.’
Another advocate Rebecca John, who did not want to comment on the statistics, said that fast-track courts are a bad idea. ‘I am particularly not in favour of this. Of course, sexual offence is a serious crime, but by trying them in fast-track courts we are giving priority to only some of them. What about other serious offences such as murder?’ John questioned.
Supreme Court advocate Ehtesham Hashmi said, ‘After the infamous Delhi gang rape and with the police showing greater cooperation people have started reporting cases of crime against women. So courts are doing their work efficiently, but yes, more fast-track courts are needed.’
Even though new figures have made it easier for the city police to profile and nab sex offenders, the rise in registration of sexual crimes has also meant that the pressure on the courts has kept up, despite fast-track courts being in place. Moreover, other than rape and sexual violence, other forms of crimes against women, such as acid attacks, have also gone up.
The highest number of cases, around 120, have been disposed of by additional sessions judge Virender Bhat of Dwarka court in 2013. Justice TR Naval of Karkardooma court is a close second and has given legal conclusion to 86 cases.
At the Tis Hazari court, which has two judges, additional sessions judge Nivedita Anil Sharma and Kaveri Baweja, have disposed of 112 cases together. Justice MC Gupta at Rohini court has solved 40 cases this year. At the Saket court, Justice Yogesh Khanna had disposed of 39 cases till September. The court also awarded death penalty to 16 December gang rape convicts.
There are six fast-track courts in Delhi which disposed of around 400 rape cases till November this year. However, data reveals that 1,090 cases are still awaiting justice in fast-track courts till date. On the other hand, 963 cases did not get justice in 2012, although regular courts decided 500 cases in Delhi in 2012. In 2011 and 2010, judgments were delivered in 650 and 700 cases respectively.
A Constitution expert says that there has been a sharp rise in the number of registered sexual offence cases, adding that this has increased the pressure on courts, especially when it comes to cases of crime against women.
Senior advocate KK Manan said, ‘There should have been more fast-track courts. After the 16 December gang rape, more cases of rape and molestation were reported. But not enough fast-track courts exist to deal with the escalated reports of crimes against women. Earlier, these cases could be tried in any court. However, now there is an increased pressure on fast-track courts.’
Another advocate Rebecca John, who did not want to comment on the statistics, said that fast-track courts are a bad idea. ‘I am particularly not in favour of this. Of course, sexual offence is a serious crime, but by trying them in fast-track courts we are giving priority to only some of them. What about other serious offences such as murder?’ John questioned.
Supreme Court advocate Ehtesham Hashmi said, ‘After the infamous Delhi gang rape and with the police showing greater cooperation people have started reporting cases of crime against women. So courts are doing their work efficiently, but yes, more fast-track courts are needed.’
Even though new figures have made it easier for the city police to profile and nab sex offenders, the rise in registration of sexual crimes has also meant that the pressure on the courts has kept up, despite fast-track courts being in place. Moreover, other than rape and sexual violence, other forms of crimes against women, such as acid attacks, have also gone up.
The highest number of cases, around 120, have been disposed of by additional sessions judge Virender Bhat of Dwarka court in 2013. Justice TR Naval of Karkardooma court is a close second and has given legal conclusion to 86 cases.
At the Tis Hazari court, which has two judges, additional sessions judge Nivedita Anil Sharma and Kaveri Baweja, have disposed of 112 cases together. Justice MC Gupta at Rohini court has solved 40 cases this year. At the Saket court, Justice Yogesh Khanna had disposed of 39 cases till September. The court also awarded death penalty to 16 December gang rape convicts.