The National Investigation Agency Act, 2008
16. Procedure and
powers of Special Courts.
1.
A
Special Court may take cognizance of any offence, without the accused being
committed to it for trial, upon receiving a complaint of facts that constitute
such offence or upon a police report of such facts.
2.
Where
an offence triable by a Special Court is punishable with imprisonment for a
term not exceeding three years or with fine or with both, the Special Court
may, notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) of section 260 or
section 262 of the Code, try the offence in a summary way in accordance with
the procedure prescribed in the Code and the provisions of sections 263 to 265
of the Code shall, so far as may be, apply to such trial:
Provided that when,
in the course of a summary trial under this sub-section, it appears to the
Special Court that the nature of the case is such that it is not desirable to
try it in a summary way, the Special Court shall recall any witnesses who may
have been examined and proceed to re-hear the case in the manner provided by
the provisions of the Code for the trial of such offence and the said
provisions shall apply to, and in relation to, a Special Court as they apply to
and in relation to a Magistrate: Provided further that in the case of any
conviction in a summary trial under this section, it shall be lawful for a
Special Court to pass a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding one
year and with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees.
3.
Subject
to the other provisions of this Act, a Special Court shall, for the purpose of
trial of any offence, have all the powers of a Court of Session and shall try
such offence as if it were a Court of Session so far as may be in accordance
with the procedure prescribed in the Code for the trial before a Court of
Session.
4.
Subject
to the other provisions of this Act, every case transferred to a Special Court
under sub-section (2) of section 13 shall be dealt with as if such case had
been transferred under section 406 of the Code to such Special Court.
5.
Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Code, but subject to the provisions of section 299 of
the Code, a Special Court may, if it thinks fit and for reasons to be recorded
by it, proceed with the trial in the absence of the accused or his pleader and
record the evidence of any witness, subject to the right of the accused to
recall the witness for cross-examination.