Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 150
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 151
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Nothing fast about Maharashtra's fast-track courts, shows RTI query -Kajal Iyer

Nothing fast about Maharashtra's fast-track courts, shows RTI query -Kajal Iyer

Share this article Share this article
published Published on Sep 13, 2013   modified Modified on Sep 13, 2013
-CNN-IBN


Mumbai: The trial in the Delhi gangrape-murder case has set an example for other cases of crimes against women. Soon after the verdict, the Maharashtra Home Minister announced that the trial in the Mumbai gangrape case will also be fast-tracked. But an RTI query filed by CNN-IBN exposes the dismal records of fast-track courts.

An assurance was made by the Maharashtra government soon after the photojournalist was gangraped in Mumbai's Shakti Mills. But the RTI application filed by CNN-IBN shows there's nothing fast about Maharashtra's fast-track courts.

As of June 2013, 63 fast-track courts in Maharashtra have been set up to deal with crimes against women. In 2009 alone, over 2000 cases were tried in these fast-track courts, of which only 42 per cent were resolved.

In 2012, the Union Law Ministry alotted 180 judges for these courts. In the same year, fast track courts with all-women staff were also earmarked for crimes against women. But only 39 per cent of the 3,800 cases tried in 2012 were resolved.

For Valerian Santos, it took over a year for the fast-track court to even begin the trial in the murders of his son Keenan and friend Reuben who died fighting sexual harassers. Two years on, witnesses are still being examined in the case.

Even in the murder of lawyer Pallavi Purkayastha, the hearing is only half-way through. Legal experts, however, caution that a fast-track court only means fewer adjournments and dedicated judicial staff. The process of conducting a fair trial cannot be hurried.

"If a normal trial will get over in 100 days then this will get over in 98 days, it is not a magical solution. The government or others who want to show the people that they are doing something will say it has been given to a fast-track court," said women's rights lawyer Varsha Rokade.

As if the slow pace of the trials wasn't enough, survivors and their families also have to deal with Maharashtra's dismal conviction rate of 5 to 7 per cent in cases of crimes against women, one of the lowest in the country.


CNN-IBN, 12 September, 2013, http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nothing-fast-about-maharashtras-fasttrack-courts-shows-rti-query/421314-3-237.html


Related Articles

 

Write Comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Video Archives

Archives

share on Facebook
Twitter
RSS
Feedback
Read Later

Contact Form

Please enter security code
      Close