February 11, New Delhi - The Supreme Court of India issued notices to 17 states on Tuesday, requiring them to establish special NIA courts in states where 10 or more cases are pending under anti-terrorism laws. The court requested responses from the states after the Union Home Ministry submitted a detailed status report. The court asked the chief secretaries of the 17 states to respond within three weeks to the report, in order to formalize the establishment of these special courts and ensure speedy trials and justice in such cases. The court stated that delays in trials can lead to injustice if an accused is acquitted after a prolonged trial.