Hierarchy of Criminal Courts In India
Supreme Court
High Courts
The Courts of Session
The Judicial Magistrates of the First Class, and, in any metropolitan area; the Metropolitan Magistrates.
The Judicial Magistrates of the Second Class
The Executive Magistrates
1. Supreme Court of India: The highest court, having appellate jurisdiction over all criminal cases.
2. High Courts: Established in each state, they have appellate jurisdiction over Sessions Courts and try serious cases.
3. Sessions Courts: Try serious cases like murder, rape, and robbery, and have jurisdiction over magisterial courts.
4. Magisterial Courts:
Chief Judicial Magistrate Court: Try cases punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years.
Judicial Magistrate Court: Try cases punishable with imprisonment up to 3 years.
Executive Magistrate Court: Try cases related to executive powers.
5. Special Courts:
CBI Courts: Try cases investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
NDPS Courts: Try cases related to narcotics and drugs.
POCSO Courts: Try cases related to child abuse and exploitation.
6. Tribunals:
National Company Law Tribunal: Try cases related to company law.
Income Tax Appellate Tribunal: Try cases related to income tax.
7. Village Courts(in some states):
Gram Nyayalayas: Try petty cases and civil disputes at the village level.
This hierarchy ensures that cases are tried in a fair and efficient manner, with higher courts having appellate jurisdiction over lower courts.
Section 6 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr. P. C) provides that Besides the High Courts and the Courts constituted under any law, other than this Code, there shall be, in every State, the following classes of Criminal Courts, namely:
Courts of Session;
Judicial Magistrates of the first class and, in any metropolitan area, Metropolitan Magistrates;
Judicial Magistrates of the second class; and
Executive Magistrates