Supreme Court Flags Gangsters Evading Arrest Across States, Calls for Unified NCR Agency

The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the growing trend of gangsters committing crimes in one state and fleeing to another within the Delhi-NCR region to evade arrest and exploit jurisdictional loopholes. The court urged the Central Government to consider legislation granting a single agency the authority to act against organized crime across the entire NCR, ensuring that offenders can be tried in a designated special court in Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, or Gurugram.

Unified Legislation Proposed

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Suryakant asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, “Why can’t a law be enacted for the entire NCR? Cases under central laws such as UAPA, PMLA, and NDPS should have designated special courts in Delhi, Gurugram, or Noida, regardless of where the crime occurred, to ensure trials proceed without jurisdictional hurdles.”

Exploitation of Jurisdiction by Criminals

The bench, comprising CJI Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, noted that gangsters often commit multiple offenses across different states to delay prosecution and secure bail. Justice Bagchi explained, “If a gangster commits 10 crimes in Haryana, five in Rajasthan, and two in Delhi, NIA investigation can be initiated, special laws applied, and the trial conducted in a single NCR court.” While Bhati suggested that the Supreme Court could formulate a framework suo motu, the bench emphasized that this is a matter for legislative action.

Need for Specialized Courts

The court highlighted that organized crime syndicates exploit gaps in jurisdiction under central laws. Timely police action and prompt hearings are crucial. Without a dedicated court, dangerous offenders can benefit from trial delays across multiple jurisdictions, undermining public safety. The Supreme Court stressed that existing courts should not be designated as special courts; separate courts should be established exclusively for NIA cases without being burdened by regular cases.

Government’s Preparatory Measures

Additional Solicitor General Bhati informed the court that the Central Government has approved ₹1 crore per special court to reimburse states for recurring and non-recurring expenses related to NIA trials. ASG S.D. Sanjay added that the Delhi Government plans to operationalize 16 special courts within three months to handle cases under central laws efficiently.

This move reflects a push for strengthening law enforcement and judicial mechanisms across the NCR to curb organized crime and ensure timely justice.