New Delhi [India], March 19 (ANI): The Central government has designated a special court in Gujarat's Ahmedabad for the trial of cases investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in a move aimed at strengthening the judicial process in handling sensitive offences.

Exercising its powers under Section 11 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in consultation with the Gujarat High Court and the government of Gujarat, on March 17, notified the court of the Additional Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Ahmedabad, as the special court.

Also Read | ‘Captain’ Ashok Kharat Video: Retired Navy Officer Arrested by Nashik Police in S*xual Exploitation Case.

The designated court will exclusively conduct trials related to scheduled offences probed by the NIA.

Officials said the move is intended to ensure expeditious and focused adjudication of cases involving national security and terrorism.

Also Read | Why Stock Market Is Down Today, March 19, 2026.

As per the notification, the jurisdiction of the special court will extend across the entire state of Gujarat, enabling it to hear all NIA cases arising within the state.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 11 of the National Investigation Agency, Act 2008 (34 of 2008), the Central Government, in consultation with the Hon'ble Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court and the Government of Gujarat, hereby designates the Court of Additional Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Ahmedabad as the Special Court for the purpose of sub-section (1) of section 11 of the said Act, exclusively for the trial of the Scheduled Offences investigated by the National Investigation Agency. The jurisdiction of the Special Court for the National Investigation Agency mentioned above shall extend throughout the State of Gujarat," reads the notification.

The purpose of the notification is to establish a dedicated judicial mechanism for the speedy and effective trial of NIA cases in Gujarat. The special court would exclusively handle cases investigated by the NIA, ensuring focused attention on serious offences, ensure faster trials of scheduled offences-- which typically involve terrorism, national security, and other grave crimes under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008.

The move is aimed at strengthening the legal framework for prosecuting national security-related offences efficiently and effectively. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)