The Kerala High Court has clarified that the establishment of special courts does not strip magistrates of their authority to conduct trials. This clarification came in the wake of a case where questions arose about whether special courts have the exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters, thereby overriding the power of magistrates to hold trials in such cases.
Background:
The issue surfaced when there was ambiguity over the jurisdiction of special courts, particularly in cases involving offenses under special laws. A petition was filed challenging the trial of a case by a magistrate, with the contention that the matter should have been handled exclusively by a special court designated for such cases. The petitioner argued that magistrates did not have the authority to hold trials in such matters once a special court was in place.
Court’s Rationale:
In its ruling, the Kerala High Court emphasized that while special courts have been established to handle specific types of offenses, their creation does not automatically diminish the jurisdiction of magistrates to conduct trials. The court held that the jurisdiction of magistrates is not excluded unless explicitly stated by law. The court underscored that special courts are meant to streamline the judicial process for specific offenses, but they do not replace the broader role of magistrates in overseeing and conducting trials.
Existing Measures:
The court noted that the procedure for trial in special courts, as well as the cases that they handle, are laid down by specific legislative provisions. However, the role of magistrates remains essential unless there is a direct statutory provision transferring their jurisdiction to special courts.
Conclusion:
The Kerala High Court’s ruling reaffirms that the existence of special courts does not mean a blanket transfer of powers from magistrates to those courts. Magistrates still retain their jurisdiction over matters unless explicitly restricted by law, and special courts serve as an additional mechanism to handle particular types of cases more efficiently.