India: Delhi HC Raises Questions on Pendency of NIA Cases

The Delhi HC has raised questions to the registry on pendency of certain NIA cases which come under designated special courts. During the hearing, the Registry's counsel informed the Court that the Patiala House Court has two designated special courts dealing with NIA cases, one presided over by a sessions judge and the other by a district and sessions judge. However, time was requested from the Court to determine whether such NIA cases were given insufficient priority in the special courts, as the causes leading to the delays. As a result, the Court ordered the Registry to provide an affidavit outlining the stage of trial in all NIA cases ongoing in special courts, as well as the reasons for the delays. The court was listening to the plea of a petitioner who was in custody for an NIA case for 8 years; the plea also sought for expediting his trial.