The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has given the green light for the establishment of a special court in Visakhapatnam to handle cases under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act. This decision was made during a recent Cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat. The move comes following a directive from the Supreme Court to set up dedicated NIA courts for the prompt adjudication of cases under the NIA Act.
The state Law and Minority Welfare Minister, NMD Farooq, shared that the Andhra Pradesh High Court had notified the government about the Supreme Court’s order to set up these specialized NIA courts. Currently, there are two designated NIA courts operating in the state, located in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, to address NIA-related cases. Notably, there are 20 pending NIA cases in Andhra Pradesh, with the majority being handled by the 3rd Additional District and Sessions Judge in Visakhapatnam.
Recognizing the substantial caseload in Visakhapatnam, the High Court recommended the establishment of a dedicated NIA court at the District and Sessions Judge level in Visakhapatnam, with jurisdiction over the entire state. The Cabinet has not only approved this proposal but has also sanctioned the appointment of 16 staff members, including a Special Judge, for the efficient functioning of this specialized court. Additionally, the Cabinet has given the nod for the creation of a new post of Registrar (Court Case and Management) in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
In another development, the Cabinet has also granted approval for the establishment of three Centers of Excellence under the Social Welfare Department. These centers, set to offer high-quality education to disadvantaged students, will commence operations in Madhurawada, Tadikonda, and Kota across different districts. Students enrolled at these centers will receive free coaching for competitive exams like IIT, NEET, and JEE, alongside their Intermediate studies. Each center will accommodate 300 students, with a 50% reservation for girls in admissions.
