Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has plans to establish five special fast-track courts dedicated to addressing cases of violence and abuse against women, revealed Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Wednesday.
The initiative aims to ensure swift justice and increase conviction rates in women-related cases.
“We have engaged with the Orissa High Court to set up these courts, marking a significant step toward expediting justice for women,” Harichandan stated.
The Minister outlined a phased approach, with the initial five courts serving as a pilot. “Our long-term goal is to establish fast-track courts in all 314 blocks across Odisha to enhance access to justice,” he added.
In a parallel development, the state’s Law Department is advancing plans to establish 46 new courts across Odisha. This includes 40 Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) courts and six Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-JMFC courts, aimed at strengthening the judicial infrastructure.
Additionally, the Orissa High Court has transferred 54 judicial officers across the state to optimize judicial operations.
These combined efforts reflect Odisha’s commitment to bolstering its judicial system, prioritizing timely justice, and addressing gender-based violence effectively.