Chhattisgarh State Gets Dedicated NIA Special Court at Jagdalpur; High Court Appoints Special Judge

May 31, 2026 : The Central Government has designated the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Jagdalpur, as a Special Court under Section 11 of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008, for the exclusive trial of scheduled offences investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in specified districts of Chhattisgarh. The notification was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on May 30, 2026, and subsequently circulated by the High Court of Chhattisgarh on May 31, 2026.

According to the MHA notification, the newly designated Special Court (NIA), Jagdalpur, will exercise jurisdiction over the districts of Bastar (Jagdalpur), Dakshin Bastar (Dantewada), Kondagaon, and Uttar Bastar (Kanker). The designation has been made in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court of Chhattisgarh and the Government of Chhattisgarh. The notification supersedes the earlier notifications issued in November 2019 relating to NIA Special Courts in the region.

In a related administrative communication, the High Court directed the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Bastar (Jagdalpur), to make all necessary arrangements for the functioning of the newly notified Special Court. The High Court also ordered the transfer of all pending NIA-investigated cases falling within the jurisdiction of the four concerned districts to the Special Court at Jagdalpur, with directions that the transfer process be completed on or before June 1, 2026.

Further, the High Court of Chhattisgarh issued a separate notification appointing Smt. Sangeeta Naveen Tiwari, presently serving as Additional Judge to the Court of the First District and Additional Sessions Judge, Jagdalpur, as the Special Judge of the newly established NIA Special Court, Jagdalpur. Her appointment will take effect from the date she assumes charge of the office.

The establishment of a dedicated NIA Special Court in Jagdalpur is expected to streamline the adjudication of terrorism-related and other scheduled offences investigated by the premier federal anti-terror agency. The move is particularly significant for the Bastar region, which has witnessed several security-related investigations over the years. By creating an exclusive forum for NIA cases, the government aims to ensure expeditious trial and improved judicial administration in matters concerning national security.