Mobile Court Operations Must Be Videotaped and Preserved

The government has made it mandatory to record and preserve videos of all mobile court operations across the country to ensure transparency and accountability.

The decision follows resolutions adopted at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in October.

According to a recent circular issued by the Cabinet Division, recorded footage may be presented as evidence before an appellate court if an appeal is filed against a mobile court order.

The government has also directed every district to establish a dedicated media cell to publicise mobile court activities and raise public awareness.

The circular states that recorded videos must be preserved according to case numbers and dates at the Judicial Magistracy (JM) branch of the respective Deputy Commissioner's office and relevant government departments. A copy of each recording must also be sent to the district media cell.

The directive also introduces specific measures for managing goods and materials seized during mobile court operations.

Every Deputy Commissioner's office and relevant government department must designate a secure room, facility or location for storing seized items.

Officials and employees must be assigned specific responsibilities for receiving, storing and, when necessary, presenting or handing over seized materials to the courts.

A register must also be maintained in a prescribed format to document the receipt and storage of seized goods. The responsible officer must countersign the register every month.

However, perishable or quickly deteriorating items should not be stored for extended periods and must be disposed of promptly in accordance with existing rules and regulations.

The circular directs District Magistrates to assign specific responsibilities to Public Prosecutors (PPs), Additional Public Prosecutors and Assistant Public Prosecutors for handling appeals against mobile court decisions.

The relevant courts and departments must also be informed about these assignments.

District Magistrates and heads of government departments will appoint designated employees as mobile court assistants (Peshkars) in addition to their regular duties.

Divisional Commissioner's offices, in consultation with the Cabinet Division, have been instructed to complete training for these employees within the next month.

To increase public awareness, each district will establish a media cell headed by an Additional Deputy Commissioner or a Magistrate.

The District Information Officer and other relevant officials will also be included in the cell.

The media cells will collect videos and still photographs of mobile court operations and arrange their publication through government websites, social media platforms and news outlets.

The new measures are intended to strengthen documentation, evidence preservation, legal procedures and public communication surrounding mobile court operations across Bangladesh.

sks