Supreme Court Calls For Judicial Audit Of Central Laws; Dedicated NIA Courts For Speedy Trials
The Supreme Court on Friday emphasized the urgent need for dedicated special courts to handle cases investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), noting that the current system is overburdened and hampers timely justice.
The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh also called for a “judicial audit” of of laws enacted by the Centre and those proposed by States to assess the anticipated caseloads and infrastructural needs of the judiciary.
Hearing a bail plea filed by alleged Naxal sympathiser Kailash Ramchandani, who is accused in a 2019 IED blast in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli that killed 15 police personnel, the bench observed that trials in serious NIA cases were facing delays due to the absence of exclusive trial courts.
“Each NIA case involves hundreds of witnesses and wide ramifications. These trials suffer because presiding officers are burdened with other matters,” the Court said.
The Bench questioned the Maharashtra government's decision to designate a court for NIA cases without consulting the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. “Would the presiding officer continue hearing other matters? What happens to those cases? Have you consulted the Chief Justice?” Justice Kant asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Rajkumar Bhaskar Thakre.
The Bench underlined that creation of additional courts and infrastructure lies in the executive’s policy domain, but must be undertaken in consultation with the judiciary and based on comprehensive data on pending cases.
The Court directed the ASG to provide details of pending NIA cases in Maharashtra and across India, and to take instructions regarding the establishment of dedicated special courts for NIA cases. The matter will be heard next in July.
While declining bail to Ramchandani for the time being, the bench clarified that its concern was not with granting relief in the individual case, but rather with ensuring the speedy trial of such serious offences.
“The court is only interested in expediting your trial,” Justice Kant told the counsel.
Case Title: Kailash Ramchandani v. State of Maharashtra & Anr. [SLP(Crl) No. 4276/2025]