In a significant ruling on Tuesday, the Delhi High Court dismissed the Delhi government's petition to reduce the number of hybrid courts from 691 to just 14. The court underscored the urgent need for adequate infrastructure to handle the New Criminal Laws, noting that limiting the implementation would exacerbate delays.

The bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Gedela, emphasized that restricting the project would hinder progress. The court's decision responds to a plea from the Delhi Government seeking modifications to an earlier order, which mandated expedited infrastructure and facilities for hybrid hearings in district courts and quasi-judicial bodies.

The court had previously directed the Chief Secretary of GNCTD to accelerate the financial approval process for all 691 courts, with a preliminary estimate of Rs. 387,03,19,388/-, as approved by NIC. It also mandated the issuance of a comprehensive tender for all courts, including pilot projects.

Despite the GNCTD's concerns about the budget exceeding Rs. 100 crore, the court reiterated its directive for prompt implementation across all 691 courts.