DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir has reported the lowest pendency of criminal cases against women and children among all High Courts in India. According to data available on the National Judicial Data Grid, as of March 5, 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has 8,639 pending criminal cases, which is significantly lower than in other states. The region has also maintained a steady pace of disposing of such cases, with 2,769 cases disposed of in 2023, 2,962 cases in 2024, and 322 cases in 2025 up to March 5.
To ensure the expeditious disposal of cases against women and children, Jammu and Kashmir currently operates eight Fast Track Courts and four Fast Track Special Courts, including two exclusive courts under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. These courts are part of a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing speedy trials for cases related to rape and offences against children.
The Government of India has said that, as per information made available by the High Courts, 860 Fast Track Courts are operational across the country. Additionally, 745 Fast Track Special Courts, including 404 exclusive Protection of Children from Sexual Offences courts, are functional in 30 states and union territories as of January 31, 2025. These courts have disposed of more than 306,000 cases since their inception, while over 203,000 cases remain pending. The government has urged states and union territories to allocate funds for the establishment of additional Fast Track Courts to further address pending cases.
The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission have played a key role in the expansion of Fast Track Courts across the country. The government has said that while financial support is provided through centrally sponsored schemes, states have been encouraged to use their fiscal resources for setting up these courts.
Jammu and Kashmir’s efficiency in handling cases against women and children stands out in comparison to larger states such as Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, where pending cases exceed 500,000 and 100,000, respectively. The data highlights the region’s relatively lower backlog and the efforts being made to address crimes against vulnerable groups through judicial interventions.
The information was provided in response to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on March 13, 2025, based on data available on the National Judicial Data Grid.
