J&K Govt Notifies 20 Special Courts to Fast Track Mining Offence Trials
J&K Govt Notifies 20 Special Courts to Fast-Track Trials of Illegal Mining Offences
SRINAGAR, Nov 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued a fresh notification designating 20 Special Courts across the Union Territory to ensure the speedy trial of offences under the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
According to the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the notification was issued with the prior concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The courts have been designated under Section 30-B of the Act, authorising them to exclusively handle cases pertaining to violations of Section 4(1) and Section 4(1A) provisions that deal with illegal mining and related contraventions. Each Special Court will exercise jurisdiction over its respective district.
The following courts have been notified as Special Courts:
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Samba – District Samba
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Ganderbal – District Ganderbal
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Poonch – District Poonch
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Bandipora – District Bandipora
Principal District & Sessions Judge, Reasi – District Reasi
Principal District & Sessions Judge, Ramban – District Ramban
Principal District & Sessions Judge, Shopian – District Shopian
Principal District & Sessions Judge, Kishtwar – District Kishtwar
Principal District & Sessions Judge, Kulgam – District Kulgam
Principal District & Sessions Judge, Budgam – District Budgam
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Jammu – District Jammu
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Srinagar – District Srinagar
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Doda – District Doda
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Kathua – District Kathua
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Baramulla – District Baramulla
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Anantnag – District Anantnag
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Pulwama – District Pulwama
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Rajouri – District Rajouri
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Udhampur – District Udhampur
Additional District & Sessions Judge, Handwara – District Kupwara
The designation of these Special Courts is aimed at strengthening the Union Territory’s crackdown on illegal mining and ensuring faster disposal of related cases.
