(1) For the purpose of providing for speedy trial, the State Government shall, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification in the Official Gazette, establish an Exclusive Special Court for one or more districts, to try the offences under this Act:
Provided that in districts where less number of cases under this Act are recorded, the State Government shall, with the concurrence of the Chief Justice of the High Court, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify for such districts, the Court of Session to be a Special Court to try the offences under this Act:
Provided further that the Special Court so established or specified shall have power to directly take cognizance of offences under this Act.
(2) In every trial in the Special Court or Exclusive Special Court, the proceedings shall be continued from day-to-day until all the witnesses in attendance have been examined, and an endeavour shall be made to dispose of the trial within a period of two months from the date of filing of the charge sheet.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 14
Section 14 mandates the establishment of Special Courts and Exclusive Special Courts in every district for the speedy, specialized trial of atrocity offences, while Section 14A introduces an autonomous statutory appeals regime.
Sub-section (3) also mandates that the Special Court shall hold proceedings on a day-to-day basis until all witnesses in attendance have been examined. Crucially, Section 14A provides that an appeal shall lie to the High Court both on facts and on law against any judgment, sentence, or order (including bail grants or rejections), with a strict 90-day limitation extendable to 180 days upon sufficient cause.
Section 14 bypasses the dilatory committal stage under Section 193 CrPC / 213 BNSS, bringing victims directly before a Court of Session. Furthermore, Section 14A strips High Courts of discretionary revisional jurisdiction by providing an all-encompassing appellate remedy, subject to mandatory victim audience.