Section 153 — Constitution of Special Courts.

153. Constitution of Special Courts.–(1) The State Government may, for the purposes of providing 
speedy trial of offences referred to in 1[sections 135 to 140 and section 150], by notification in the 
Official Gazette, constitute as many Special Courts as may be necessary for such area or areas, as may be 
specified in the notification. 

(2) A Special Court shall consist of a single Judge who shall be appointed by the State Government 
with the concurrence of the High Court. 

(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Judge of a Special Court unless he was, 
immediately before such appointment, an Additional District and Sessions Judge. 

(4) Where the office of the Judge of a Special Court is vacant, or such Judge is absent from the 
ordinary place of sitting of such Special Court, or he is incapacitated by illness or otherwise for the 
performance of his duties, any urgent business in the Special Court shall be disposed of– 

(a) by a Judge, if any, exercising jurisdiction in the Special Court; 
(b) where there is no such other Judge available, in accordance with the direction of District and 

Sessions Judge having jurisdiction over the ordinary place of sitting of Special Court, as notified 
under sub-section (1). 

                                                             
1. Subs. by Act 26 of 2007, s. 17, for “sections 135 to 139” (w.e.f. 15-6-2007). 



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