Exclusive Special Courts Approved in 5 Districts Under Atrocities Act; Maharashtra Government Issues Order

The Maharashtra state government has taken a major decision to ensure speedy justice for victims by expediting trials under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. To hear cases filed under this Act, the Law and Judiciary Department has sanctioned the establishment of five ‘Exclusive Special Courts’, with one court each in Ahmednagar, Parbhani, Solapur, Nanded, and Yavatmal districts.

These courts have been approved based on the recommendations of the High Court and considering the growing backlog of pending cases. A total of 45 posts have been sanctioned for these five courts. Each court will have a staff strength of nine personnel, comprising 1 District and Additional Sessions Judge, 1 Steno (Grade-1), 1 Superintendent, 1 Senior Clerk, 2 Junior Clerks, 1 Bailiff, and 2 Peons sourced through outsourcing.

The government has also approved the financial outlay required to establish these special courts. The total sanctioned expenditure stands at Rs 4,51,04,020, which includes an annual recurring cost of Rs 3,99,35,520 and a non-recurring cost of Rs 51,68,500.