UAPA trials to Finish within 1 year without Exception: SC issues Clear Mandate

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court mandated that trials in UAPA cases investigated by the National Investigation Agency must be concluded within one year, aiming to curb prolonged incarceration and delays that often result in denial of bail. The direction places a binding responsibility on both the Centre and the States to ensure that prosecutions in serious terror-related cases are conducted within a strict, time-bound framework.

The issue arose from growing concern over the heavy pendency of NIA cases across States and the absence of dedicated infrastructure to handle them efficiently. The Court noted that several accused remain in custody for years due to slow trials. To address this, it pushed for the creation of exclusive special courts for NIA cases, supported by central funding, and emphasised the need for appointing dedicated public prosecutors and adequate staff to ensure continuous hearings.

The Bench made it clear that States cannot delay the process and must assess the requirement of such courts with precision. Stressing urgency, it observed that there must be a “categorical commitment that each trial must be completed… within a year,” directing that proceedings be conducted on a day-to-day basis. It further ordered that necessary prosecutorial and administrative mechanisms be put in place, with compliance to be reviewed in subsequent hearings.

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