Designation of Exclusive Special Court

**Executive Summary** On March 17, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification designating the Court of Additional Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Ahmedabad, as a Special Court under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008. The court is established in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court and the Government of Gujarat for the exclusive trial of Scheduled Offences investigated by the NIA. This designation is effective immediately and establishes jurisdiction over the entire State of Gujarat. **Key Points / Main Content** **Legal Authority and Consultation** * The notification is issued under the powers conferred by section 11 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008). * The designation was made following consultations between the Central Government, the Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court, and the Government of Gujarat. **Designation of the Special Court** * The Court of Additional Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Ahmedabad, is officially designated as the Special Court. * This court is mandated to handle trials under sub-section (1) of section 11 of the NIA Act. **Scope and Jurisdiction** * The court is designated exclusively for the trial of Scheduled Offences investigated by the National Investigation Agency. * The territorial jurisdiction of this Special Court extends throughout the entire State of Gujarat. **Impact Analysis** **National Investigation Agency (NIA)** **Impact** The agency now has a specific, designated judicial venue in Ahmedabad for the prosecution of its cases within the region. **Action Required** The NIA must ensure that all trials for Scheduled Offences investigated by them within the State of Gujarat are brought before this designated Special Court. **Court of Additional Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Ahmedabad** **Impact** This court is now vested with the additional responsibility and authority to act as the Special Court for NIA cases for the entire state. **Action Required** The court must prepare to preside over and manage the trial proceedings of Scheduled Offences as per the provisions of the NIA Act, 2008. **Legal Practitioners and Litigants in Gujarat** **Impact** All legal matters and trials related to NIA-investigated Scheduled Offences in Gujarat are now centralized at the Ahmedabad-based Special Court. **Action Required** Stakeholders involved in relevant cases must direct all filings and legal representations to the Court of Additional Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Ahmedabad.

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