In the suo motu case concerning the creation of exclusive courts to tackle cases under special statutes like UAPA, etc., the Supreme Court was informed on July 20 by the Union that a total of 14 designated courts have been established across the country exclusively for the trial of NIA cases.

A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was apprised of the development by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati. The ASG said that the requisite notifications would be issued within the week.

As per the information provided, the 14 designated courts have been established in - Jharkhand (3), J&K (1), Maharashtra (2), Bihar (1), Gujarat (3), Chhattisgarh (1), Manipur (1), Assam (1) and Punjab (1). In case of Delhi, it was informed that approval has been accorded for 3 exclusive NIA courts and the notification would be issued shortly.

During the hearing, the ASG further conveyed that some more push was required in the case of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and West Bengal.

On a specific query about Haryana, the bench was informed that 1 NIA court (in Nuh) was notified in June. When the CJI asked as to whether there is an exclusive NIA court for the entire state, the counsel sought time to take instructions.

In this backdrop, the CJI remarked, "that's the problem. You people are expert in documentation. But on ground reality- zero". Ultimately, the counsel clarified that the notification did not indicate if the 1 court was an exclusive court for NIA trials in the entire state and sought time to come back with instructions. "If you want to have 1 court throughout the state, then why are you bringing it in one corner? why not in the middle of the state?" CJI questioned him.

Subsequently, counsel for Telangana apprised that 1 exclusive NIA court has been designated in the state and there are 17 cases pending (out of which 4 are at trial stage). For Uttarakhand, Senior AAG Gaurav Bhatia contended that there is no NIA trial pending. Insofar as exclusive courts for NDPS trials, 5 have been setup and 4 more will be setup in due course.

Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, for West Bengal, apprised that there are 21 pending cases and 2 courts would come into effect by August 3. Seeing that no one appeared for J&K&L, the CJI asked ASG Bhati to take instructions, noting that there are 47 pending cases. "That state...there must be more matters. 1 Court so far may not be sufficient", he remarked.

At last, the bench decided to give 4 more weeks to the states/UTs for the needful to be done.

"We find that in some of the states, no effective steps for establishment of NIA courts have been taken. Whereas, in states like J&K&L, the establishment of 1 court is ex facie inadequate", the order noted.

With regard to exclusive NDPS courts, ASG Bhati also told the Court that total 394 courts are required, out of which 113 have been setup. The matter was adjourned, calling for an updated status report on the establishment of exclusive courts for NDPS trials.

Case Title: IN RE: CREATION OF SPECIAL EXCLUSIVE COURTS Versus, SMW(Crl) No. 1/2026