Maharashtra Cabinet approves new courts under NDPS, SC-ST Act

The Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved the establishment of new courts, including a special court in Pune for cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and five new courts for Atrocity Act matters.

The decision, taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, followed a recommendation from the Bombay High Court which noted that a large number of NDPS cases were pending in Pune, an official release said.

Further, the cabinet gave its nod for creating a post of district and additional sessions judge and seven support staff for the new NDPS Act court and sanctioned Rs 1.26 crore for its establishment and operations.

At present, around 30,000 NDPS cases are pending across Maharashtra, including 1,425 in Pune. Courtroom No 22 at the Pune District Court has been allocated for the new Special Court.

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a Junior Division Civil Court and Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court at Kurduwadi in Madha taluka of Solapur district. The new court will be provided with one judicial officer and 11 regular supporting staff posts. An expenditure of Rs 1.18 crore for setting up the court was approved. With the establishment of the new court, residents of Kurduwadi and surrounding areas will not need to travel long distances for civil and criminal cases, the release said. 

A district and additional sessions court was also approved at Karjat in Ahilyanagar district, which will cater to residents of Karjat and Jamkhed talukas. It will have one judicial officer and 21 supporting staff posts, including personnel for the Government pleader’s office.

The Cabinet approved Rs 3.30 crore for establishing the court and the Government pleader’s office.

Exclusive special courts will be established at Ahilyanagar, Parbhani, Solapur, Nanded and Yavatmal for cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Each Exclusive Special Court will be provided with one judge. The Cabinet sanctioned Rs 4.51 crore for establishing these courts.

There are currently 17,023 pending cases under the SC-ST Act across Maharashtra. Of these, 1,014 cases are pending in Ahilyanagar, 526 in Parbhani, 516 in Solapur, 735 in Nanded, and 723 in Yavatmal, the release informed.