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The Statesman

Publication Date : 22-01-2013

A day after Indian President Pranab Mukherjee called for a speedy disposal of court cases, the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court yesterday directed all district judges to dispose of rape cases within four months. 

In a statement, registrar general of Calcutta High Court R K Bag said: “In view of the huge pendency of rape and other cases involving crime against women”, Arun Mishra, Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court has directed all district judges for identification of one or more courts of additional district and sessions judge in each district for disposal of rape cases within four months.  

Mishra has directed the state government to establish sufficient number of fast track courts for speedy trial of such cases.

The fast track courts will be presided over by women judicial officers and have women staff as far as possible. The state government had earlier announced that it was planning to set up 45 fast track courts for hearing cases of rape and crimes against women. 

The first of such courts will be inaugurated on January 23 in Malda.

The chief justice has also directed the presiding officers of all courts to invoke the provision of Section 327 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for maintenance of privacy of rape victims and expeditious disposal of cases.

It may be mentioned here that directions in this regard were passed three days back.