High Court Orders 12-Member Committee to Improve Evidence Management
The High Court has instructed the formation of a 12-member high-level committee to establish procedures for the preservation and management of seized goods held in court lock-ups and police stations. The directive was issued to the Law Secretary by a bench comprising Justices Md. Habibul Gani and Syed Mohammad Tazrul Hossain. The committee is required to submit its report to the court within two months. This action stems from a writ petition filed nearly four years ago by five lawyers, including Mohammad Noah Ali, challenging the inaction in taking necessary steps for preserving seized items. Following an initial hearing, the High Court issued a rule and order on August 30, 2022, directing a report on how seized goods and vehicles are stored in police stations and lock-ups. The committee's composition, as detailed by the petitioners' lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir, will include the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs as its leader. Other members will represent the Police, subordinate courts, Bangladesh Bank, the Ministry of Information and Technology, the Attorney General's office, the petitioners, the Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Department of Narcotics Control, the Bangladesh Coast Guard, and the Customs Department under the National Board of Revenue. The Inspector General of Police has also been directed to issue a circular to all police stations nationwide for the swift disposal of such cases. Furthermore, the Registrar General of the Supreme Court is to issue a circular to all subordinate courts and tribunals to take effective measures for the speedy resolution of cases involving seized vehicles and goods.
The High Court's directive to form a committee for improving evidence management addresses systemic inefficiencies in the judicial and law enforcement processes. This initiative aims to streamline the handling of seized assets, which can often lead to prolonged legal battles and potential degradation of evidence. By mandating a cross-ministerial and inter-agency committee, the court seeks to foster a coordinated approach, leveraging expertise from various sectors including technology and legal administration. The two-month deadline for the report signals an urgency to reform outdated practices. Looking ahead, the effective implementation of these recommendations could significantly impact case resolution times and the integrity of the justice system, particularly in an era where digital evidence and efficient asset management are increasingly critical.
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