PIL in Gujarat High Court seeks fast-track courts to try rape cases; HC issues notice to government

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the state government in response to a public interest litigation seeking fast-track courts for rape cases. The division bench of Justices Akil Kureshi and JB Pardiwala asked the government to file its reply by September 30.

Petitioner Jignesh Goswami says, quoting a media report, that Gujarat government has not followed Delhi High Court's direction to set up fast track courts for speedy trial of rape cases. The direction applies to all the states, he says.

The Delhi High Court's order came with respect to the case of gang-rape on moving bus in December 2012. The petitioner claims that all the states, except Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat, have formed such courts.