The Supreme Court says Additional Special Trial Courts will make the judicial system robust by ensuring speedy trials and reducing the burden on higher courts.
Additional Special Trial Courts will make the judicial system robust, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday.
POONCH MIRROR NEWS DESK JANUARY 21,2026
New Delhi, January 21:Additional Special Trial Courts, the Supreme Court observed on Wednesday, will make the judicial system more robust by strengthening trial-level mechanisms, ensuring faster disposal of cases, and reducing the need for accused persons to approach higher courts for interim reliefs such as bail or urgent hearings.
The apex court said that setting up Additional Special Trial Courts would ensure faster disposal of cases, prevent prolonged incarceration of accused persons, and minimise the need to approach constitutional courts for interim reliefs such as bail or urgent hearings.
Supreme Court seeks progress on special court in Delhi
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi sought an update from the Centre on steps taken to establish a special trial court in the national capital. The Bench questioned Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Union government, on the current status of the proposal.
The issue arose from an earlier direction passed on January 6, when the Supreme Court asked the Centre and the Delhi government to consider setting up a special court to conduct day-to-day hearings in a 2021 case being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The idea is to build a strong and sustainable mechanism so that litigants are not compelled to come to this court repeatedly,” the Chief Justice said. “That will happen only when Additional Special Trial Courts are created.
The Bench directed the Centre to place a progress report before the court by February 10, when the matter will be listed again.
Case linked to alleged ISIS radicalisation
The observations were made while hearing a bail plea filed by Mohammad Haidatullah, who has been accused of propagating the ideology of the terrorist organisation ISIS through encrypted Telegram groups and attempting to radicalise and recruit youth in India.
The Chief Justice earlier noted that extraordinary delay in trials gives rise to legitimate concerns regarding prolonged custody without conclusion of proceedings, particularly when an accused has remained incarcerated for a substantial period.
The court had earlier asked the Centre to indicate whether a special court could be constituted to conduct daily hearings, especially as the prosecution proposes to examine 125 witnesses.
Delhi High Court had denied bail
In the ISIS-linked matter, the Delhi High Court had declined to grant bail to Haidatullah, rejecting the argument that mere association with a banned organisation does not constitute an offence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Supreme Court observations on judicial reforms
The High Court held that the accused, an MBA graduate working with an IT company in Gurugram, was not a passive supporter. The material on record indicated that he actively advocated violent jihad aimed at establishing a so-called caliphate.
The court noted that Haidatullah had admitted to pledging allegiance in 2018 to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and later to Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al-Qurashi, both recognised leaders of ISIS.
It can be taken as a matter of judicial notice that ISIS is a designated terrorist organisation known globally for its violent activities, the High Court observed, adding that the accused was fully aware of the nature of the organisation.
Serious allegations by NIA
Dismissing the bail plea, the High Court held that the statutory bar on bail under the UAPA squarely applied. Following the registration of an FIR in 2021, the NIA arrested Haidatullah on October 22, 2022.
The prosecution alleged that the accused used cyberspace to spread ISIS propaganda, promoted hostility against Hindus on social media, and attempted to incite hatred against the government. It was further alleged that he transferred funds from his bank account for the benefit of the terror organisation.
Investigators claimed to have recovered material relating to pledges of allegiance, instructions for preparing explosive substances, and other extremist content during the course of the probe.
Strengthening judicial infrastructure
The Supreme Court’s remarks highlight the need for structural strengthening of the judiciary, with Additional Special Trial Courts seen as a key reform to reduce pendency, ensure speedy trials, and reinforce public confidence in the justice delivery system.
The matter will be taken up again on February 10, when the Centre is expected to inform the court about concrete steps taken towards establishing a special trial court in Delhi.
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