Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday inaugurated Special Courts at the Rouse Avenue Court Complex for the trial of cases under the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) stating that the initiative marks a significant step in the continuing endeavour to strengthen the administration of criminal justice at the grassroot level by equipping the institutions to meet the evolving demands of the time.
Addressing the gathering of judges, advocates and officials of the investigating agencies, the CJI said that, “every reform in the justice delivery system begins with a simple question: how can justice be delivered better? The answer often lies in creating the right forum for the right case. Every Court is a temple of justice, but every case does not demand the same architecture for adjudication.”
He pointed out that modern judicial administration has increasingly recognised that different categories of disputes require different institutional responses. He said that “the Special Exclusive Courts inaugurated today also represent the natural progression of that approach, as they well recognise that prosecutions under the NIA Act, the UAPA, the NDPS Act, and the MCOCA demand sustained judicial attention and specialised expertise.”
“Such prosecutions frequently involve investigations spanning multiple jurisdictions, voluminous documentary and electronic evidence, intricate forensic material, issues touching upon national security, organised crime or transnational drug trafficking, and often several accused persons. Cases of this nature inevitably demand far greater judicial engagement than an ordinary criminal trial”, he further added.
The Chief Justice of India also said that when complex trials are repeatedly interrupted by competing demands on the docket, adjournments become inevitable, hearings lose momentum, and the quality of the trial itself begins to suffer and the consequences are felt by every stakeholder in the justice process, from victims and witnesses to the accused themselves.
“Dedicated Courts seek to address these challenges in a structured and lasting manner. They enable Judges to develop subject-matter expertise, ensure uninterrupted hearings, and encourage more effective case management”, he pointed out.
CJI while expressing confidence in the newly inaugurated court said, “I also believe that the success of these courts will ultimately be determined not by infrastructure alone, but by the shared commitment of every institution and every individual who forms part of the criminal justice system. Judges must continue to ensure fairness with firmness. Investigating agencies must conduct professional and timely investigations. Prosecutors must present their cases with diligence and objectivity. Members of the Bar must assist the court with the highest standards of professional responsibility. Court staff must continue to provide the indispensable administrative support that keeps the wheels of justice moving. When each stakeholder embraces this shared responsibility, timely justice ceases to be an aspiration, rather, it becomes a lived reality.”