ORDER A common question regarding jurisdiction of the Special Judge to entertain and take cognizance of the offences, particularly, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (hereinafter called as the New Act), has arisen. Thus, the above said Criminal Revisions and Cr. M.P. (M) can be disposed of by a common order. 2. There is no dispute that Special Judges, vested with the powers under Section 3 read with Section 4 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947, (hereinafter called the Old Act) were competent to deal with the offences under the old Act. However, with respect to the offences committed prior to coming into force of the New Act but challans filed after it came into force, the powers of the Special Judges have been taken away except in pending cases from the date of the commencement of the New Act. 3. In all the above said case, commission of offences is alleged to be prior to the coming into force of New Act, however, challans have been filed in all these cases after its enforcement. There is no dispute about this fact. 4. At the time of the hearing of these cases, Mrs. Shyama Dogra, learned Deputy Advocate General, has fairly and squarely conceded that in view of Sections 3, 4, 26 and 28 of the New Act, though District and Sessions Judge (1), Shimla has now been vested with the powers of Special Judge under Section 3(1) thereof vide Notification No. Home-II(B)15-6/79 dated 17-11-1992, yet he trial of the petitioner and other co-accused in the above said cases is required to be held denovo. Even otherwise, on reading of the above said Sections, the same conclusion appears to be the only correct position of law. 5. In view of the above, the above said petitions are disposed of accordingly. The record of the cases(s) referred to above, if called for, be returned to the trial court by the Registry immediately. The learned Special Judge is directed to treat the aforesaid case as challan now put up before it by the prosecution. The trial Court (Special Judge) shall consider it denovo from its initial stage and dispose of the same accordingly. A copy of this order be placed in each one of the concerned file. Order accordingly.