PATNA, Sept. 20 -- The Patna high court has recommended a major upgrade for seven special courts in Bihar, elevating their presiding officers to the rank of principal district and sessions judge - the highest district-level rank in subordinate judiciary, officials familiar with the matter said on Friday. The courts to be upgraded include the exclusive and special courts under the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the special CBI court, and the exclusive special POCSO court. Also on the list are the special vigilance court, exclusive special NIA court, exclusive special PMLA court, and the children court (16-18 years of age). Upgrading these courts to principal district and sessions judge rank places them under higher administrative and judicial supervision. This change aims to expedite complex, high-priority litigation. It also ensures seasoned judicial officers handle complex statutory trials. The recommendation, conveyed in a letter to the state's additional chief secretary of the general administration department (GAD) on August 20, marks a significant shift in judicial hierarchy. Most of these courts are currently headed by additional district and session judges. Rupesh Deo, registrar general of the Patna high court, signed off on the communication, seeking the state government's necessary action. However, the Bihar government is yet to notify the changes as recommended by the high court, officials said. Efforts to reach senior government officials for comments proved futile, as they did not respond to phone calls or text messages. The high court laid down clear conditions alongside the upgrade. It said each district will have only one principal district and sessions judge. Postings to these special courts will follow seniority, the court clarified. Presiding officers will be designated "special judge" under the relevant Act - not "principal district and sessions judge." The court further specified that the senior-most district and sessions judge in a district will continue to hold administrative charge, even as other presiding officers gain the upgraded rank. The high court noted the move carries little to no additional financial implication for the state. The upgrade, once implemented, is expected to strengthen the standing and authority of judges handling some of Bihar's most sensitive case categories - from anti-corruption and terror cases to crimes against children and the marginalised communities....