Anushka Mansharamani
Karnataka High Court sought a detailed report from the registrar-general regarding the pending cases present under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) before the special courts.
A division bench recommended the registrar-general to distribute the cases among the four special courts if necessary.
P. Prasanna Kumar, the special public prosecutor for National Investigation Agency had earlier informed the court that 15 cases by the agency were pending before the special courts.
The court sought a report during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation that claimed that despite the mandate for undertaking a speedy trial in UAPA cases that were not happening.
Further stating that the accused and their family members were suffering on account of the delay by the courts and the agencies.
The Karnataka High Court further directed the government to take accurate steps to fill the second post of UPA Lokayukta at the earlier.
This direction was made after the division bench observed that the post was vacant since 14th December 2020.
To this, the government stated that consultation on the same matter has been initiated with the chief justice, council chairman and the assembly speaker.