Udupi to get special court for NIA and UAPA cases

Udupi: The state government has approved the establishment of a new Additional District and Sessions Court in Udupi to exclusively handle cases registered under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

The move follows directions issued by the Supreme Court in a suo motu writ petition and recommendations made by the Karnataka High Court.

According to an official notification issued by the government, the Third Additional District and Sessions Court will be set up in Udupi and will have jurisdiction over both Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.

All NIA and UAPA cases already registered, as well as those that may be registered in future in the two districts, will be tried by the newly established court.

Udupi Bar Association President Renold Praveen Kumar said the government has also approved the creation of 13 supporting posts for the court, including the post of a Special Judge.