The Supreme Court has ordered the Karnataka government to establish an additional special court dedicated to cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court directed that the necessary judge, staff, and infrastructure be sanctioned within two weeks. This directive came during the hearing of Shahid Khan's plea. He is an accused in a PFI conspiracy case involving 707 prosecution witnesses, including protected witnesses. The Court instructed that hearings proceed on a day-to-day basis, prioritizing the examination of three protected and other key witnesses to complete material evidence within three months.
Chief Justice Surya Kant’s bench emphasized that the state “cannot have the luxury of prolonging this trial for years,” highlighting the accused’s right to a speedy trial under Article 21. The Court noted the heavy burden on existing special courts, which have around 97 trials pending, and recommended each court handle only 12–15 cases.
This move aims to ensure timely and effective trials of sensitive cases involving unlawful activities and terrorism-related offenses in Karnataka. Providing dedicated infrastructure will enhance the judiciary’s capacity to manage these cases promptly, supporting legal efforts against threats to national security and public order. Karnataka’s compliance with this Supreme Court directive marks an important step toward focused legal action under the UAPA.
