Srinagar, Aug 13: Jammu and Kashmir has eight functional Fast Track Courts (FTCs), with 1,319 cases pending as of June 30, 2026, according to data presented by the Ministry of Law and Justice in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
The figures were provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha member Mukul Wasnik.
According to the data, Jammu and Kashmir has four functional Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO courts, with 530 cases pending as of June 30, 2026.
The data said that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has eight functional Fast Track Courts (FTCs), with 1,319 cases pending as of June 30, 2026. It revealed that the Union Territory of Ladakh has no functional Fast Track Court
The data further showed that the average conviction rate of FTSCs in Jammu and Kashmir stood at 6 per cent in 2023. It declined to 4.50 per cent in 2024 and stood at 4.44 per cent in 2025.
Meghwal said Fast Track Courts are established by State and Union Territory governments in consultation with the respective High Courts for the expeditious trial of specific categories of cases, based on their requirements and availability of resources.
“As per information received from the High Courts, 884 FTCs are functional across 21 States/UTs as on 30.06.2026,” the minister said, adding that no central assistance is being provided to States for setting up Fast Track Courts.
The minister also highlighted the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO (ePOCSO) Courts, which was launched in October 2019.
The scheme is aimed at ensuring the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases relating to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
As per information provided by the High Courts, 779 FTSCs, including 399 exclusive POCSO courts, are functional across 29 States and Union Territories as of June 30, 2026.
On vacancies among judicial officers, Meghwal said the recruitment and appointment of judicial officers in District and Subordinate Courts, including FTCs and FTSCs, falls within the responsibility of the respective State and Union Territory governments.
He said that under the constitutional framework, the State/UT governments, in consultation with their respective High Courts, frame rules concerning the recruitment and appointment of judicial officers.
“Accordingly, filling up of vacant positions of the judicial officers in District and Subordinate courts including the FTCs and FTSCs, is the responsibility of the State/UT Governments,” the minister said.
