Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Dec 15: Jammu and Kashmir continues to record a high backlog of cases involving crimes against women and children, with nearly 500 cases pending in its Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), according to data from the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.
While case disposals have shown some improvement, the data suggests that pendency in the Union Territory’s special courts has remained persistently high over the past three years, amid capacity constraints and other contributing factors.
Official figures presented by the Ministry showed that J&K had 453 pending cases at the end of 2023, which rose to 509 by December 2024.
As of September 2025, the number of pending cases stood at 494, indicating only a marginal reduction despite ongoing disposals.
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According to the data, J&K currently operates four FTSCs, including two exclusive POCSO courts, tasked with handling cases of rape and child sexual abuse.
This limited capacity stands in sharp contrast to larger States such as Uttar Pradesh, which operates 218 FTSCs, and Madhya Pradesh, which has 67.
Nationally, 773 FTSCs-including 400 exclusive POCSO courts-are functional across 29 States and Union Territories, the data revealed.
The figures also showed a rise in case registrations in J&K. The Union Territory recorded 76 new cases in 2023, followed by a sharp increase to 164 cases in 2024.
In the first nine months of 2025 alone, 60 fresh cases were registered.
On the other hand, disposals have improved marginally. J&K courts disposed of 41 cases in 2023, 112 cases in 2024, and 75 cases between January and September 2025.
However, these numbers remain insufficient to significantly reduce the backlog.
A Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO (ePOCSO) courts, was launched in October 2019 following the enactment of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and a suo motu order of the Supreme Court.
The scheme aims to ensure time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The scheme, which envisaged the establishment of 790 courts across the country, has been extended twice, with the latest extension valid until March 31, 2026.
The total financial outlay under the scheme is Rs 1,952.23 crore, of which Rs 1,207.24 crore is the Central share to be met from the Nirbhaya Fund under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme pattern.
The Ministry of Law and Justice has stated that while the FTSC scheme is Centrally funded through the Nirbhaya Fund, the responsibility for operationalising and expanding these courts rests with States and Union Territories in consultation with their respective High Courts.
The Ministry also noted that the recruitment of Judges, prosecutors and supporting staff, including women officers, is a State-level responsibility under the constitutional framework.
Experts, while acknowledging the disposal rates of FTSCs nationwide, stressed that smaller States and Union Territories like J&K need to expand judicial capacity.
According to the data, FTSCs across the country have disposed of more than 3.5 lakh cases since their inception.
“Smaller States and UTs like J&K need enhanced judicial capacity and infrastructure to reduce pendency and ensure timely justice in sensitive cases involving women and children,” the experts said.
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