Fast Track Courts in India: Past, Present and Future

India faces the crisis of slow judicial process and a large number pending cases. On the other hand, Article 21 of the Constitution, implicitly provides a constitutional guarantee to speedy trial. In order to realize this Constitutional Mandate, ‘Fast Track Courts’ (FTC’s) have been set up as a solution to the extensive delays which affect the functioning of ‘normal’ courts in India. These courts through their expedited procedure, can bring about a significant change in the Legal System. However, these courts have been largely established to appeal to popular sentiments, and their jurisdiction is mostly limited to ad hoc cases involving gender-based crimes, and as such they have their limitations and are by no means the only solution to impart ‘quick justice’. Thus, the need is to supplement these courts with systematic changes in substantive/procedural law and socio-economic scenario in the country.