The government has decided to dispose of sensational cases within 135 days with a view to reducing the backlog of pending cases.
The decision was made at the fourth meeting of the cabinet committee at the Home Ministry with Committee chief Amir Hossain Amu in the chair yesterday.
Among others, Law Minister Anisul Haq, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan, Principal Secretary to the prime minister Abdus Sobhan Shikder, Home Ministry Senior Secretary Mozammel Hoque Khan and chiefs of different law enforcement agencies including BGB, DGFI, RAB and NSI were present at the meeting.
At a post-meeting brief, Amu said common cases, which had long been pending for various reasons such as absence of the accused and witnesses, etc, would be disposed of soon.
But the sensational cases related to murders, arson attacks, political violence and rape would not be disposed of through speedy trial tribunals and special trial tribunals, said Amu, who is also the industries minister. The law minister would consult the chief justice on implementing the decision.
Amu also said the cases would be settled within 135 days and for special cases that could not be disposed of within the time frame another 135 days would be taken.
The Home Ministry in a letter last month asked deputy commissioners to send cases related to murders, arson attacks, rapes to the speedy trial tribunal for quick disposal. The DCs were also asked to inform the Home Ministry about those cases.
Asked about the BNP’s allegation that those were politically motivated cases and were geared up when the party tried to launch a movement, Amu said: “No, no. It was not discussed in the meeting. These are sensitive cases.”
Amu said a decision was made to verify the identities of the customers before selling mobile SIM cards.
The mobile operators would then activate a SIM, the minister added.
Amu also said police force would be deployed at launch terminals to monitor overloading of passengers during the journey of homebound passengers to celebrate their Eid and Puja vacations.
