Tue Dec 16 08:17:13 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Suggests NIA Takeover of “Hardcore” Criminal Cases to Streamline Justice
NEW DELHI – December 16, 2025 – The Supreme Court of India has suggested that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should take over the investigation and prosecution of cases involving “organised, professional, and hardcore” criminals prosecuted under central penal laws.
A bench comprised of Chief Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi proposed transferring such cases scattered across state trial courts to special courts exclusively designated for NIA cases in Delhi. Justice Bagchi referenced Section 6 of the NIA Act, 2008, granting the agency authority over offences impacting India’s sovereignty, security, and integrity.
Chief Justice Kant emphasized that offenses committed in one state can have repercussions in others, creating jurisdictional issues that delay trials and ultimately benefit criminals. He suggested the Centre consider formulating laws to optimize existing legal structures, allowing the NIA to consolidate multiple FIRs from different states.
The Supreme Court believes that centralizing these complex cases under a single agency, investigated by the NIA and tried by a special court, would avoid contradictory judgments and ensure the preservation of crucial evidence. The debate arose from concerns regarding bail grants in NIA cases delayed by overburdened trial courts.
The court has been considering establishing a sufficient number of dedicated NIA courts, acknowledging that special courts often become bogged down by other cases, defeating their original purpose. The Supreme Court has repeatedly highlighted the burden on trial judges who must handle ordinary cases alongside terror and heinous offenses, leading to trial delays and prolonged pre-trial detention. The proposal aims to streamline the process, ensuring more efficient justice for complex and nationally significant cases.
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