SUKHBIR: Punjab moots 7 Fast Track Courts for all heinous crimes

Ajnala (Amritsar), December 23, 2012: The Punjab government is requesting Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court for setting up of at least 7 Fast Track Courts in different locations in the state for expeditious trial of all heinous crimes including rape cases as delay in justice to the victims of heinous crimes forfeits the basic purpose of criminal administration system.

Speaking to media persons after congratulating the people of Christian Community in a function organised here today, Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister alongwith Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue Minister, Punjab said that the Punjab Government is conveying to the Punjab and Haryana High Court that it was ready to provide total infrastructural support for setting up these fast track courts and bear all expenses for additional staff required for these courts. He said that Punjab Government was seriously concerned about the delayed justice especially in the cases of heinous crime as Justice delayed was justice denied.

He said that he also believed that merely expediting justice was not enough as police has to be provided scientific training in investigation, collection of evidence besides scientific preservation of exhibits, proper framing of charges during prosecution stage and ensuring speedy justice to the victims.

Badal said that he has already ordered separation of investigation and law and order wings, providing scientific training to investigating officers, approving proposal for setting up of Forensic Science Labs in Mohali.

The Deputy Chief Minister while congratulating the Christian Community on the eve of Christmas said that SAD-BJP Government was fully committed for the welfare of Christian Community and during this session it has approved the bill for the setting up of Minority Commission in the state that would safeguard the rights of all minorities including Christians.

Earlier, Badal along with Majithia participated in the celebrations of Christians and shared the happiness of Christian Community on this occasion. The community leaders presented a charter of demand to Deputy CM that included provision of separate state for burial grounds for Christians in each city and villages having larger concentration of Christian population etc and the Deputy CM assured to take up their demands with respective departments.