Need special courts for blast case: CJI

As family members of those killed in the 2005 and 2008 Delhi blasts wait for justice, Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan on Tuesday said the state government could constitute special courts to expedite trial of these cases.

As family members of those killed in the 2005 and 2008 Delhi blasts wait for justice, Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan on Tuesday said the state government could constitute special courts to expedite trial of these cases.

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Interacting with legal correspondents on his last day in office, Justice Balakrishnan if the case is being investigated and prosecuted by the local police, the state government can request the respective high court to notify a particular court for conducting trial in such cases.

He recalled having written a letter to the Prime Minister for setting up 60 more special CBI courts across the country. "Most of these cases are investigated by CBI. I had written to the PM who forwarded the request to the Law Ministry. These courts are in the process of being created," he added.

He advocated the need for special courts in response to question on whether the Capital that had witnessed serial blasts in three years required a special court as trial in these cases hangs fire. In contrast, Ajmal Kasab was convicted for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks after his trial was wound up in 17 months.