'Only 58 of 138 sanctioned fast-track courts functional in Maharashtra, govt following up with HC'

Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI) Only 58 of the 138 sanctioned fast-track courts in Maharashtra are currently functional, and the government has been following up with the Bombay High Court to ensure judges are appointed for the remaining courts, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the assembly on Tuesday. The chief minister pointed out that the appointment of judges is entirely the authority of the judiciary. Joining the discussion, assembly speaker Rahul Narwekar pointed out that a large number of vacancies in the subordinate judiciary are delaying the delivery of justice. Replying to a question raised by BJP MLA Rahul Kul, the chief minister said that over the past year, the state government has repeatedly requested the Chief Justice through meetings and official correspondence to appoint judges for the sanctioned courts. "The High Court has informed the government that the recruitment and promotion process for judges is in its final stage. Once the process is completed, judges will be appointed to all the sanctioned fast-track courts. "Until then, some courts have been designated to hear fast-track cases, but they also have to hear regular cases. Therefore, there is a need for separate fast-track courts," he said, adding that only 58 of the 138 sanctioned fast-track courts are currently functioning. Speaking about judicial infrastructure in Pune and other parts of the state, Fadnavis said Maharashtra has significantly expanded session courts and additional district courts over the past 10 to 12 years. "The government is providing the required funds and infrastructure for courts. The need for additional courts is determined by a High Court committee based on the number of pending cases. "If requests are received for additional courts in Pune or elsewhere, they will be examined according to case pendency, and new courts will be sanctioned wherever required," he added. Narwekar, meanwhile, said several criminal cases, including those before the MCOCA court in Pune, have remained pending for several years, causing hardship to ordinary citizens. He directed that judicial vacancies be filled urgently in coordination with the Chief Justice of the High Court. Fadnavis said the issue would be included on a priority agenda in the next meeting between him and the CJ of the high court. He said the government would make every effort to speed up the recruitment process by bringing to the High Court's notice all places where judges are needed. In reply to a question on Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station, the chief minister said that old infrastructure, including the pipe conveyor belt used to transport coal from the Bhatadi mine, will be upgraded. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared for the project. Replying to a question raised by BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar regarding the fire at the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station, the chief minister said the blaze spread to the conveyor belt area because crop residue was burnt in nearby fields. "The fire broke out near the pipe conveyor belt on May 5, 2026, and not at the loading or unloading point of the conveyor belt. "The conveyor belt passes through farmland owned by several farmers. The fire spread to the conveyor belt area because crop residue was burnt in nearby fields. There was no damage in the incident, and the fire was brought under control immediately. The emergency response team also reached the spot within the expected time, helping the authorities control the situation quickly," he said. Fadnavis further said that some of the infrastructure and machinery in the area have become old and need to be upgraded. A DPR will be prepared to identify the facilities that require renovation, and the work will be carried out in phases, he said, adding that awareness programmes will be conducted to advise people not to burn grass and crop residue in the vicinity of the pipe conveyor belt. Meanwhile, Fadnavis, who is also Home Minister, said serious mistakes were committed by the police while investigating the case of a missing woman in Jalgaon Jamod. "Strict action is being taken against the officers and staff responsible. The probe will be completed in three months," he added. Replying to a question raised by NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, the chief minister said the woman had originally been reported missing. "Later, after an unidentified body was found, the police hurriedly concluded that it was the missing woman without any final conclusion or scientific verification. They even arrested the woman's parents on charges of murdering her. "However, the woman later appeared alive at the police station. As a result, her parents had to be released. Meanwhile, the investigation to identify the body that was found is continuing," he said. He said the police’s conduct in the entire case was extremely wrong. "Therefore, all police inspectors, police sub-inspectors and other officers connected with the investigation have been suspended. Criminal cases will also be registered against them. Suspension is only the first step. Officers whose direct involvement is established after due process will also face dismissal from service," Fadnavis added. He said the state government’s newly developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has analysed around 1,600 to 1,700 missing persons cases and identified seven previously unidentified bodies. "The same technology is also being used in this (Jalgaon Jamod missing woman) case," he said while announcing financial assistance for the affected family. PTI MR NSK