Why fast-track courts in Mumbai are slow

The Mumbai sessions court has approximately 100 fast-track cases awaiting verdict. Lawyers in the sessions court claim that fast-track cases actually run on the slow track.

The Sewree sessions court has five fast-track courts. “Initially, Sewree was a thorough fast-track court. It used to hold trials of cases which attracted seven years of rigorous imprisonment,” a court source said on condition of anonymity.

“This means murder cases, which attracted life sentences, were not heard by the sessions court. Now, since all cases are heard here, no case can be closed within a stipulated period of time.” Advocate Sharif Shiekh, who is handling almost six fast-track cases, said: “We have not even completed the recording of evidence in  many fast-track cases I am handling. Certain cases are two years old and they are still in the stage of framing charges.”

Senior advocate Rohini Salian has a different take. She feels there is no need for any fast-track court and every case should be treated equally.

“When fast-track cases are delayed, it is not the court which should be held responsible. Other aspects like defence lawyers, witnesses as well as the presence of the accused in the court also lead to delays to a larger extent,” said advocate Salian.

Said advocate Nilima Kasture,“There would be more than 100 cases listed for fast-track courts, but I don’t think it really helps. Rather, it affects the trial of other cases, which are not fast-tracked.”