The government on Monday decided to hold trials of all drug related cases in the competent courts instead of tribunals.
To this end, the government approved in principle a draft of the “Narcotics (Amendment) Act, 2020” at the regular cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, as per a report on state-owned BSS agency.
“The cabinet in principle approved the draft of “Narcotics (Amendment) Act, 2020 keeping a provision of holding trial of drug related cases in the competent courts to dispose those quickly alongside decreasing the huge number of backlog cases,” said Secretary (Coordination and Reform) of the Cabinet Division, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He added that the draft law has proposed to replace section 44 alongside making necessary amendments to 22 sections out of section 55 of the existing “Narcotics Control Act, 2018” with changing the provision of holding trials of drug related cases in the tribunals.
In accordance with the newer section 44, the trial of narcotics related cases will be held in the competent courts considering its importance, he said.
Replying to a query, Mujibur said, the main reason of bringing amendments to the law is to dispose of the drug related cases at the quickest possible time and decrease the backlog of huge number of pending cases.
He continued, “The draft law has proposed the amendment as it has not yet been possible to set up tribunals or give appointments of the district and session judges and additional district and session judges to discharge additional duties beyond their works due to administrative reason.”
Another reason is that as per the existing law, an aggrieved person can file appeal against the judgment of the tribunal before the High Court in case of being awarded with only six months imprisonment, he said.
According to the draft law the aggrieved person can file the appeal before the district judge court, added he.
