The cabinet today approved in principle a draft of the “Narcotics (Amendment) Act, 2020” keeping a provision of holding the trial of drug related cases in competent courts instead of tribunals.

The approval came from a regular weekly meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office held this morning with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

“The cabinet in principle approved the draft of “Narcotics (Amendment) Act 2020. keeping a provision of holding trials of drug-related cases in the competent courts to dispose of those quickly while decreasing the huge number of cases in the backlog,” Secretary (Coordination and Reform) of the Cabinet Division Sheikh Mujibur Rahman told a news briefing after the meeting.

He added that the draft law proposes to replace section 44 alongside making necessary amendments to 22 out of 55 sections 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 in the quickest possible time and decrease backlog of the huge number of pending cases.

He continued, “The draft law has proposed the amendment as it has not yet been possible due to administrative reasons to set up tribunals or give appointments of district and session judges to discharge additional duties beyond their work.”

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, he added.