Jammu and Kashmir continues to face alarmingly low conviction rates in fast-track courts handling sexual offences, with official data showing convictions fell to just 4.5% in 2024, despite hundreds of cases being disposed of, the government told the Rajya Sabha.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Union Territory currently has four Fast Track Special Courts, including two exclusive POCSO courts. Since the scheme’s inception, these courts have disposed of 286 cases, including 161 under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Conviction rates dropped from 6% in 2023 to 4.5% in 2024, reflecting a wider national challenge in bridging the gap between chargesheeting and convictions.
Nationally, 745 Fast Track Special Courts, including 404 exclusive POCSO courts, were operational across 30 states and UTs as of March 2025, disposing of over 3.19 lakh cases since October 2019. Conviction rates vary widely across states, with some like Meghalaya reporting over 45% in 2024, while several large states, including Jammu and Kashmir, remain below 10%.
To improve outcomes, the government has implemented digital initiatives under the eCourts Project and Inter-operable Criminal Justice System. Platforms such as eSakshya for secure evidence storage, Nyaya Shruti for virtual testimonies, and e-Summons for faster court notices aim to enhance efficiency. Phase III of the eCourts Project, with an outlay of Rs 7,210 crore, seeks fully digital courts, cloud-based data repositories, AI integration, and online access to case files through Digital Courts 2.1.
While these reforms have expanded fast-track courts and digital tools, regions like Jammu and Kashmir continue to struggle with low conviction rates, highlighting ongoing challenges in investigation quality, trial effectiveness, and translating faster case disposal into justice.