JK Govt Notifies 20 Spl Courts to Fast Track Mining Offence Trials

SRINAGAR, Nov 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has issued a fresh notification designating 20 Special Courts across the Union Territory to ensure the speedy trial of offences under the Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

According to the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the notification was issued with the prior concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The courts have been designated under Section 30-B of the Act, authorising them to exclusively handle cases pertaining to violations of Section 4(1) and Section 4(1A) provisions that deal with illegal mining and related contraventions. Each Special Court will exercise jurisdiction over its respective district.

The following courts have been notified as Special Courts: Additional District & Sessions Judge, Samba – District Samba, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Ganderbal – District Ganderbal, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Poonch – District Poonch, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Bandipora – District Bandipora, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Reasi – District Reasi, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Ramban – District Ramban, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Shopian – District Shopian, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Kishtwar – District Kishtwar, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Kulgam – District Kulgam, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Budgam – District Budgam, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Jammu – District Jammu, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Srinagar – District Srinagar, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Doda – District Doda, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Kathua – District Kathua, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Baramulla – District Baramulla, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Anantnag – District Anantnag, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Pulwama – District Pulwama, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Rajouri – District Rajouri, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Udhampur – District Udhampur, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Handwara – District Kupwara

The designation of these Special Courts is aimed at strengthening the Union Territory’s crackdown on illegal mining and ensuring faster disposal of related cases.