Supreme Court Pushes for Special Courts in Terror and Narcotics Cases

The Supreme Court of India has issued a directive to all states and union territories to submit comprehensive details of terror and narcotics cases currently being examined by both Central and state bodies, including the NIA and NCB. This initiative is part of a larger plan to establish special courts to expedite the resolution of such cases.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalye Bagchi emphasized the importance of these special courts, urging the Centre to allocate Rs 1 crore per state for their creation. The courts will specifically handle cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, aiming for efficient case management.

The move comes amid rising concerns over prolonged trials, particularly NIA cases, across 17 states with high case backlogs. The court also requested the appointment of judges with substantial experience in criminal trials to expedite proceedings, ensuring timely justice.