Mitali Palnitkar
Published on: March 4, 2022 at 15:59 IST
The Delhi High Court was informed that three new Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Courts will be constituted in the Patiala House Court to assign and distribute the Pending Cases before two designated Special Courts.
This was done to deal with the long pendency of Cases under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act.
It was stated in the Additional Affidavit filed on behalf of Registrar of High Court that it was resolved by the Administrative and General Supervision Committee that five Courts of Metropolitan Magistrate (NI Act) in Patiala House Court would be shifted to Rouse Avenue Court Complex for enabling the creation of ASJ Courts.
After shifting 5 Courts of Metropolitan Magistrate (NI Act), the three new ASJ Courts will be created in the New Delhi District.
The Cases will be withdrawn, allocated and distributed in the manner prescribed in the Affidavit.
The High Court had directed its Registry to indicate measures taken for streamlining expeditious disposal of Trials in Cases of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) pending before the Special Designated Courts.
The Affidavit stated that the shifting of five Courts of Metropolitan Magistrate (NI Act) was approved by the Full Court in the meeting held on February 9, 2022.
The Plea was filed by an Accused Manzer Imam who was in Custody for 8 years in relation to an NIA Case. It was alleged that members of Indian Mujahideen were planning a conspiracy to commit terrorist attacks at landmark places in India. The response was sought from the Registry by the Court.
Under the Provisions of the Unlawful Activities(Prevention)Act and the Indian Penal Code, First Information Report was registered against Imam and was arrested in 2013.
The Plea sought directions that Special NIA Courts shall exclusively deal with NIA investigated scheduled Offences so that Trials must be heard expeditiously. The Petitioner also sought directions to Special Court for concluding Trial on a day-to-day basis.
Earlier, the Court had sought responses concerning matters from the Centre through Joint Secretary, Internal Security Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, National Investigation Agency, and the Delhi Government.
Also Read- National Investigation Agency (NIA)