SC seeks spl courts for UAPA, NDPS cases

THE Supreme Court on Monday suggested that keeping in view of delays in cases under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, there was an urgent need to set up exclusive special courts to deal with them.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY

The top court was concerned about prolonged trials and long undertrial incarceration of accused persons in these matters, which led it to suggest the creation of special courts to expeditiously handle UAPA and NDPS cases. Noting that delays raise serious concerns under Article 21, a two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that while allegations may be grave, “there are questions of liberty; these issues do arise before us.”