Supreme Court directs setting up of special courts for pending NIA trials

New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Friday directed that at least one special court be established to deal with 10 to 15 pending trials in cases probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The apex court. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the special courts should be set up within a month.
The top court, hearing a suo motu case, directed that no other cases shall be entrusted to the special courts and the trial would be conducted on a day-to-day basis. The bench said the special court judges would ensure that at least one trial is concluded within a month. It said two special courts would be set up if the number of pending trials were above 15. The bench highlighted that early disposal would balance the rights of the accused and victims both. The suo motu petition was initiated following concerns that NIA trials were languishing for years.