The judicial process of some prominent Naxal-related cases from Bastar is likely to kick start after the appointment of a Special Court for the National Investigative Agency (NIA), for the locality of Jagdalpur in Bastar.
The transfer has been aimed at have trials move forward in some of the most important cases in the region such as the 2013 Jhiram Valley Attack, the murder of MLA Bhima Mandavi of the BJP and the killing of a BJP leader in Narayanpur. The cases are under judicial consideration with the NIA conducting investigation on them.
Nearly 12 major cases related to Naxal activities are pending before the NIA court, officials said. It is hoped that after the appointment of a separate special judge, the matters pending for a long time will be disposed off in a proper time.
It comes when Bastar, a bastion of Naxal insurgency in the country, shows a sharp fall in Naxal activity. The security forces have ramped up their activities over the years bringing better law and order, enhanced developmental activities in the region.
They hope this will not only expedite hearings but also make a difference to the families of the victims, witnesses, and agencies investigating these cases, which have been pending for years.
Public trust in the justice system and accountability for events that had a significant shock effect on the region’s security landscape requires such landmark cases to be adjudicated timely, legal experts say.