In Re: Creation of Special Exclusive Courts - National Investigation Agency Act
National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 - The Supreme Court directed the Union of India, States/UTs and High Courts to operationalise exclusive Special Courts, particularly for NIA Act Section 11 trials, with Union funding as per the Office Memorandum dated 07.01.2026. High Courts are requested to designate exclusive Special Courts based on pendency (roughly one court per 10–15 trials), ensure dedicated staff and infrastructure, and conduct day‑to‑day trials so that at least one ripe trial concludes every month. For Section 22 NIA/UAPA and NDPS cases, the Court has sought detailed pendency and infrastructure data, a status report on the proposed exclusive NDPS Courts and financial model, and has suggested a statutory/institutional coordination mechanism among NIA, NCB, State Police, ATS, Customs, DRI and related agencies, listing the matter on 20.07.2026 for further compliance.
Case Info
Case name:Suo Motu Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 1 of 2026, titled “In Re: Creation of Special Exclusive Courts”
Coram:Hon’ble the Chief JusticeHon’ble Mr. Justice Joymalya Bagchi
Judgment / order date:08.05.2026
Statutes / laws referred:The order focuses on special/exclusive courts for:
- National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (NIA Act), especially Sections 11 and 22
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)
- Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act)
Three‑sentence brief summary:The Supreme Court, in a suo motu criminal writ “In Re: Creation of Special Exclusive Courts”, has directed the Union of India, States/UTs and High Courts to operationalise exclusive Special Courts, particularly for NIA Act Section 11 trials, with Union funding as per the Office Memorandum dated 07.01.2026. High Courts are requested to designate exclusive Special Courts based on pendency (roughly one court per 10–15 trials), ensure dedicated staff and infrastructure, and conduct day‑to‑day trials so that at least one ripe trial concludes every month. For Section 22 NIA/UAPA and NDPS cases, the Court has sought detailed pendency and infrastructure data, a status report on the proposed exclusive NDPS Courts and financial model, and has suggested a statutory/institutional coordination mechanism among NIA, NCB, State Police, ATS, Customs, DRI and related agencies, listing the matter on 20.07.2026 for further compliance.