Govt sets up 30 special NIA courts across the country

Amidst demand for expeditious trial of terror cases involving Muslim youth, the Centre has set up 39 special courts across the country to take up cases registered by National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Minister of State for Home R P N Singh told Parliament that under the NIA Act, the central government has set up the 39 special courts to take up terror-related cases.

The move came three months after Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan had expressed concern to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde over "wrong arrests" of Muslim youths in different parts of the country in terror cases.

Apprising the Home Ministry of the concerns expressed by various Muslim bodies that the "draconian" provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act can be misused against minorities, Khan had proposed setting up of special courts to ensure speedy trial of all terror cases.

Fully backing the Minority Affairs Minister's suggestion of setting up of special courts, Shinde wrote back to him saying "you have my assurance that this will happen.