Fast Track Special Court inaugurated in Odisha’s Rourkela

Bhubaneswar: A new Fast Track Special Court (FTSC) was inaugurated in Odisha’s Rourkela city today.

Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Acting Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, inaugurated the court on virtual mode. Several judges of Orissa HC were present on the occasion.

The FTSC in Rourkela will deal with cases under POCSO Act and Rape cases, sources said.

“The objective of Fast Track Special Courts is to expedite delivery of justice in cases involving POCSO offences and crime against women,” said Justice Sarangi.

Justice Sarangi expressed hope that the new Fast Track Special Court of Rourkela would fulfill the objective and deliver timely and effective justice. He urged the Presiding Officer of the new Fast Track Special Court to work towards fulfilling the expectations of the litigants waiting for justice from the judiciary.

Justice Krushna Ram Mohapatra, the Administrative Judge of Sundargarh Judgeship, also urged the judicial officers posted in the Fast Track Special Courts to rise to the occasion and fulfill the aspirations of litigants.

Taking suo motu cognizance of surge in crimes against women and children, the Supreme Court of India had issued guidelines and directions to ensure expeditious dispensation of justice in such cases.

Accordingly, the Centre and the state government formulated a scheme for establishing Special Courts for fast tracking the cases under POCSO Act and crimes against women.

In accordance with the scheme, as many as 20 Fast Track Special Courts have already been inaugurated in District Headquarters towns. Rourkela has become the first outlying station to have a Fast Track Special Court, sources said.