SC orders formation of separate judicial magistrate courts in all districts for faster case disposal
The SC instructed all chief judicial magistrates and chief metropolitan magistrates across the country to take necessary steps to designate some existing magistrate courts as judicial magistrate courts and others as cognisance courts, ensuring a clear division of responsibilities for efficient case management and speedy trials.
The Supreme Court has directed the formation of separate judicial magistrate courts in all districts to ensure faster disposal of cases pending in magistrate courts.
The directive was issued through a circular, signed by SC Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddiqui, published on the court's official website today (14 October).
According to the circular, magistrates working in Chief Judicial Magistrate or Chief Metropolitan Magistrate courts currently take cognisance of offences within their respective jurisdictions and conduct trials of cases referred to them by their chief magistrates.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"In addition to taking cognisance of cases, judicial or metropolitan magistrates also perform a wide range of duties such as supervising and assisting police investigations, conducting bail and remand hearings, running summary courts under special laws, and attesting affidavits," reads the circular.
However, due to the heavy workload and multiple administrative responsibilities of the magistrates, they often cannot devote sufficient time to their judicial duties during regular working hours, the circular noted.
To address this, the Supreme Court has deemed it necessary to establish separate judicial magistrate courts in every district to handle judicial proceedings exclusively.
The circular instructed all chief judicial magistrates and chief metropolitan magistrates across the country to take necessary steps to designate some existing magistrate courts as judicial magistrate courts and others as cognisance courts, ensuring a clear division of responsibilities for efficient case management and speedy trials.
