BSS, Dhaka :
The cabinet on Monday approved a proposal for amendment to the existing mobile court act with some provisions aimed at more effective application of the law as well as achieving the very objective of the quick trail process.
The approval was given in the weekly meeting of the cabinet held at cabinet room of the Jatiya Sangsad with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing reporters at briefing room of the cabinet division at Bangladesh Secretariat on the meeting Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said the cabinet has given final nod to the proposal subject to the vetting of the law ministry.
The cabinet secretary said after amendment, the executive magistrates of the mobile courts would be empowered to give punishment to a person based on circumstantial evidences, deposition of the witnesses and examining surrounding situation.
In the existing law, framed in 2009, the mobile court magistrates are allowed to impose punishment to somebody only if he or she pleads guilty for an offense.
The government in 2009 enacted the Mobile Court Act with the basic objectives of conducting drive against adulteration, eve teasing, checking corruption and copying in public examination, controlling law and order during the election time, ensuring public safety and ensure speedy trial.
“But, the cabinet secretary said, one of the main limitations of the current law is that many people commit offence, but deny pleading it. And under the existing law a person cannot be punished without his/her admission about the offense,” he added.
Home Ministry prepared the draft of the law after series of consultation and inter-ministerial meeting and in light of the suggestions of DC’s conference in 2013, cabinet’s guideline and recommendation of a workshop at Prime Minister Office (PMO) on mobile court last year to find out ways of using ICT for better execution of the mobile court.
The new law has incorporated provision of using information and communication technology for disposal of the case of the mobile courts. For example, electronic signature and biometrics will be accepted in the court, the cabinet secretary said.
Besides, the executive magistrates can take opinion of experts in this regard while disposing a case, particularly of those with nature of food adulteration.
About 5.5 lakh cases were disposed over the last four years under the Mobile Court Act and the amendment would bring qualitative change in the country’s judicial system, the cabinet secretary said.
