Three Exclusive NIA Courts to Be Set Up at Rouse Avenue Courts Complex
Three exclusive courts will be established at the Rouse Avenue Courts complex in Delhi within a week to try cases under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, the Central government told the Supreme Court on Monday. The setup of these dedicated courts is expected to pave the way for faster trials of approximately 50 pending NIA cases in the national capital.
The assurance was given during the hearing of a suo motu case concerning the establishment of exclusive courts under the NIA Act and other special laws. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant noted that the Delhi High Court had approved the proposal on May 29, and the Delhi Lieutenant Governor cleared it on July 16. A formal notification from the Union Home Ministry is now awaited to make the courts functional.
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that the three exclusive NIA courts would be notified within a week.
According to a status report filed by the Centre, the three courts will function from the Rouse Avenue Courts complex. The Delhi High Court, in a separate affidavit, informed the Supreme Court that it has already begun making arrangements for prosecutors and court staff.
The NIA informed the High Court on June 4 that it had an adequate number of public prosecutors for exclusive deployment before the new courts. Following this, on July 17, the High Court wrote to the Delhi government’s directorate of prosecution to seek details on the availability of dedicated public prosecutors, though a response is still awaited.
Regarding staffing, the High Court stated that the new courts would initially function using existing district judiciary personnel. However, it noted that the augmentation of sanctioned staff strength would be required in due course to support the additional courts.
The Supreme Court had previously directed the Centre on May 8 to consult chief justices of high courts to establish exclusive NIA courts. Under the guidelines, states with more than 25 pending cases, such as Delhi, are required to have three exclusive courts. Judges posted to these courts will hear only NIA cases on a day-to-day basis and endeavour to complete at least one trial every month.
