All NIA Cases in Gujarat now before One Court: Centre notifies Ahmedabad Special Bench

In a move to streamline prosecution of serious security offences, the Central Government has designated a special court in Ahmedabad for exclusive trial of cases investigated by the National Investigation Agency. The notification, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to ensure faster and more focused adjudication of terrorism-related matters across Gujarat.

Acting under statutory powers, the Centre, in consultation with the Gujarat High Court and the state government, has identified the Court of the Additional Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Ahmedabad as the designated forum. The decision comes against the backdrop of increasing emphasis on specialised judicial mechanisms to handle complex cases involving national security, where delays and fragmented proceedings often weaken prosecution.

By centralising jurisdiction, the move seeks to eliminate procedural inefficiencies and ensure consistency in handling scheduled offences under the NIA framework.

Invoking Section 11 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, the government clarified that the designated court will function exclusively for NIA cases with statewide jurisdiction. The notification states, “the Court… is hereby designated… exclusively for the trial of the Scheduled Offences investigated by the National Investigation Agency,” underscoring a targeted approach to sensitive prosecutions.

The operative direction formally vests the Ahmedabad court with authority to hear all such cases arising within Gujarat.