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Fast-Track Court For Terror Cases: Govt Reacts Cautiously

Government on Tuesday reacted cautiously to Congress leader Digvijay Singh's suggestion to set up fast track courts to try terror-related cases, including the Batla House encounter. "I have seen the statement...as a Law Minister, I

fast track court for terror cases govt reacts cautiously fast track court for terror cases govt reacts cautiously

Government on Tuesday reacted cautiously to Congress leader Digvijay Singh's suggestion to set up fast track courts to try terror-related cases, including the Batla House encounter. "I have seen the statement...as a Law Minister, I cannot give-off-the-cuff remarks. I need to examine," Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said on Tuesday .

He was asked about the demand of the Congress General Secretary to set up fast track courts to try cases related to terrorism, including last year's Batla House encounter where the accused are from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. 

Moily, however, said the Government has drawn a legal mission to ensure that pendancy of cases is reduced to three years. He hastened to add that he was not referring to only the terror cases, "but all cases". 

Digvijay Singh had recently said that there was need for speedy trial in the Batla House encounter case as most of those arrested or absconding came from poor families who cannot afford lengthy litigation process. 

"I will request the Prime Minister that the trial of the case be held in a designated court. Most people named in the case come from poor families. Some of them have upto 55 cases against them," he had said. 

To a question on terms and references of the Srikrishna Committee on Telangana issue, Moily said the party has taken a decision for the formation of a coordination committee, the terms of reference of which have not yet been formulated. 

"One need not be apprehensive of the terms. It is too early or too hasty too feel apprehensive," he said on a poser that some Andhra Pradesh MLAs have expressed fears about the terms of reference of the Committee. PTI