Supreme Court of India Calls for Speedy Trial of Cases Registered Under NIA Act
Apex court directs states and High Courts to strengthen judicial infrastructure to reduce pendency in terror-related cases.
NEW DELHI, May 9: Supreme Court of India on Friday issued a series of directions aimed at accelerating the disposal of cases registered under the National Investigation Agency Act, stressing the urgent need for stronger judicial infrastructure to handle terror-related trials efficiently.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that delays in cases involving serious offences under special laws require immediate institutional attention.
The court directed that dedicated special courts must be established based on the volume of pending trials within the jurisdiction of individual High Courts. According to the order, if more than 15 trials are pending in a particular state or High Court jurisdiction, two special courts should be constituted. In cases where pending matters exceed 25, three such courts are required to be operational.
Highlighting the importance of speedy justice in cases concerning national security and anti-terror legislation, the bench stated that there should ideally be at least one exclusive NIA court for every 10 to 15 pending trials.
The directions came during the hearing of a suo motu matter initiated by the apex court earlier this year to examine delays in criminal proceedings under various special statutes. The proceedings focus on improving case management systems and ensuring timely adjudication in sensitive investigations.
The bench noted that prolonged delays not only affect accused individuals and victims but also weaken the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in handling offences linked to terrorism and organised crime.
The court also emphasised coordination between state governments and High Courts to ensure that adequate courtrooms, judicial officers, staff and technological support are made available for the functioning of special tribunals.
Legal experts believe the latest directions could significantly improve the pace of proceedings in high-profile investigations handled by the National Investigation Agency, particularly in states witnessing a large number of terror-related prosecutions.
The Supreme Court is expected to continue monitoring compliance with its directives in the coming months as part of its broader effort to reduce pendency in cases involving special laws and national security concerns.
