Uttar Pradesh Government To Set Up 218 Fast-Track Courts In State, Announces CM Yogi Adityanath

In a bid to curb the crimes against women and children in Uttar Pradesh, the state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (13 December) announced that the UP government will soon set up “218 fast-track courts” in the state, reports ANI.

While speaking at a workshop on cybersecurity in Lucknow, the UP Chief Minister said, "Cybercrime and forensic centres will be opened at all range levels. The government will also set up its own forensic university”.

At the workshop, CM Yogi also spoke about crime against women and children. He informed that a committee was formed by him to find out whether crimes against women and children are also being investigated in time-bound manner.

“The investigation revealed that there is lack of coordination. If the prosecution is done on time, the accused may be punished faster,” the CM said.

He further said that stricter laws are required if there is increase in crime and emphasised on having better synergy between investigation and prosecution in convicting criminals.

"Inter-departmental coordination can lead to better action against the culprits. Also, the District Magistrate along with the district should be able to decide on the priority of POCSO cases. This may speed up the process of punishment to criminals. When cases get delayed, witnesses turn back which frustrates the victim. These actions will send out a message that if you commit a crime, punishment will be swift," he said.

The CM said that the process should be such that no innocent person should get stranded and no criminal should be able to escape.

"In the last 2 years, work has been done in the direction to curb crime against women and girls. Uttar Pradesh has been first in meting out punishment within a span of six months. Certainly, such moves will be helpful in curbing the menace of cybercrime and crimes against women," he said.