In a significant push to overhaul the state's overburdened judicial system, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, Samrat Choudhary, unveiled a major initiative on Sunday. The government plans to establish 100 new fast-track courts (FTCs) across Bihar, aiming to deliver quicker justice and alleviate the massive backlog of cases.
Addressing a Massive Backlog for Public Relief
Minister Choudhary highlighted that the primary goal is to offer instant legal relief, especially to poor villagers who often exhaust their time and hard-earned money making repeated trips to distant courts. He revealed a staggering statistic: more than 18 lakh (1.8 million) cases are currently pending in various courts throughout the state. The new FTCs are designed to expedite the disposal of this huge volume of cases, lessen the burden on the existing judiciary, and ensure that sensitive cases receive the proper attention and time they require.
Detailed Distribution Across Districts
The minister provided a comprehensive breakdown of where these new courts will be located. Patna will receive the maximum of eight FTCs. Four courts each are slated for Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur. Furthermore, eight districts will get three courts each: Nalanda (Biharsharif), Rohtas (Sasaram), Saran (Chapra), Vaishali (Hajipur), East Champaran (Motihari), Begusarai, Samastipur, and Madhubani.
Additionally, 25 districts will be equipped with two fast-track courts each. These districts are West Champaran (Bettiah), Kaimur (Bhabua), Bhojpur (Ara), Buxar, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Saharsa, Purnia, Munger, Nawada, Jehanabad, Arwal, Aurangabad, Siwan, Gopalganj, Supaul, Madhepura, Araria, Kishanganj, Katihar, Banka, Jamui, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, and Khagaria. One court each is also proposed for the sub-divisional courts of Naugachia and Bagaha.
Large-Scale Recruitment and Special 'Act Courts'
To make these 100 courts operational across 38 districts and sub-divisions, the government will launch a substantial recruitment drive. A total of 900 posts will be filled, encompassing roles such as bench clerks, office clerks, stenographers, deposition writers, data entry operators, drivers, process servers, and peons.
In a focused move to bolster law and order, Choudhary announced that 79 of these courts will be designated as 'Act Courts'. These will specifically fast-track cases registered under the Arms Act, ensuring swift resolution of serious offences.
This announcement marks one of the key initiatives undertaken by Samrat Choudhary since assuming the crucial Home Minister portfolio from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar a fortnight ago. This is his first stint in this role in two decades. His early actions have also included launching an extensive anti-encroachment drive to reclaim government lands, forming an "Abhaya Brigade" in every district to protect women and girls, and introducing a citizen service portal to deliver police services digitally to people's doorsteps.
