44 NIA Cases Pending Before Patiala House Court, Delhi High Court Told

At present, the NIA cases in Patiala House Courts are being heard by two special courts i.e. Principal District and Sessions Judge and an Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ 03).

The data on the pendency of cases has been submitted by the Registrar of High Court in a status report filed pursuant to court's order on July 15 seeking response on the pendency and progress of hearing in the NIA cases.

"As on 31.07.2022, 4 NIA cases are pending before the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Patiala House and 39 NIA trial cases are pending before the Ld. ASJ-03. There is one appeal pending before the Ld. ASJ-03," the status report states.

The report has been filed in a case filed by an accused Manzer Imam, who has been in custody for the last eight years in a Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case.

The matter was listed for hearing today before Justice Jasmeet Singh, however, the same was adjourned.

The Court on September 15 last year sought response from the Registry in the matter.

In March, an additional affidavit was filed on behalf of the Registrar of High Court, informing that three new Additional Session Judge (ASJ) Courts will be constituted in Patiala House Court for assigning and distribution of other pending cases before the two designated special courts.

The FIR against Imam was registered under various provisions of UAPA and IPC. He was arrested in the year 2013.

His plea had prayed that Special NIA Courts must deal exclusively with NIA investigated scheduled offences so that trials must be expeditiously held by such courts. It also seeks directions to the Special Court for conducting the trial in Imam's case on a day-to-day basis.