Police-magistracy conference in Dhaka focuses on faster investigations, timely charge sheets

The need to speed up case investigations and ensure charge sheets are filed on time came under focus at a police-magistracy conference in the capital today (12 September).

The conference, organised by the Dhaka Judicial Magistracy, also stressed promptly obtaining medical and forensic reports, properly preserving evidence, producing accused persons before courts on time and improving coordination between courts and police to expedite the judicial process.

The conference called on all relevant parties to work in coordination to ensure speedy disposal of cases and reduce the suffering of litigants and other justice seekers.

Dhaka Chief Judicial Magistrate (in charge) Md Mahbubur Rahman chaired the conference, while Dhaka Senior District and Sessions Judge Md Rafiqul Islam was the chief guest.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Tajul Islam Sohag moderated the conference, while Senior Judicial Magistrate Mahfuzur Rahman presented information on case disposal in the district.

Dhaka Police Superintendent Shamima Parvin, a CID police superintendent, the jail superintendent, the civil surgeon, representatives of Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Enam Medical College Hospital, among others, were present.

Only four anti-discrimination cases reach trial

The conference also discussed progress in cases related to the anti-discrimination movement.

It was informed that only four such cases have so far reached the Dhaka District Judge's Court for trial.

The police superintendent was requested to issue necessary instructions to officers-in-charge of all police stations in the district to complete investigations into these cases quickly and submit charge sheets in accordance with the law.

The conference also stressed that if sufficient grounds for allegations against an accused are not found during an investigation, the relevant legal procedures must be followed.

Faster medical, forensic reports sought

The meeting held detailed discussions on obtaining victims' medical certificates (MCs) and forensic reports without delay.

It stressed that requests for medical reports should be made to the appropriate authorities and that proper requisitions should be sent by the relevant police stations.

If the doctor who provided treatment is no longer working at the institution, a board should be formed with doctors currently serving in the relevant position so that the necessary report can be issued promptly with proper signatures.

Concern was also expressed over delays in sending inquest reports, seizure lists and post-mortem reports to courts in murder cases, even after considerable time has passed since the cases were filed.

Relevant authorities were instructed to send inquest reports and seizure lists to the courts immediately after a case is filed and post-mortem reports within the stipulated time.

Investigators cautioned over digital evidence

The conference also emphasised the proper seizure, preservation and identification of digital evidence and electronic testimony.

Investigating officers were cautioned to properly seize relevant devices, including CCTV digital video recorders, and to accurately record SIM information and IMEI numbers when mobile phones are seized.

The meeting also stressed compliance with legal requirements and prescribed procedures when recording statements and confessions under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including ensuring that confessions are made voluntarily.

Concern over unexecuted arrest warrants

The conference expressed concern over arrest warrants remaining unexecuted for long periods.

Police officials were instructed to take effective measures to execute the warrants promptly and arrest the accused concerned.

The meeting also discussed filing supplementary charge sheets if errors are found in an accused person's name or address after a police report has been submitted.

District and Sessions Judge Md Rafiqul Islam cautioned investigating officers to ensure that no accused included in the original charge sheet is left out when a supplementary charge sheet is submitted.

Lawyers raise complaint over court lifts

The general secretary of the Dhaka Bar Association raised concerns over the poor quality and frequent breakdowns of the four lifts in the Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court building.

The authorities concerned were urged to resolve the problem quickly and provide better-quality lifts for the convenience of litigants, lawyers, and court officials and employees.

The executive engineer concerned of the Electrical and Mechanical Division later assured the conference that the problem would be resolved promptly.

Police support for mobile courts

The conference also discussed the operation of mobile courts to ensure safe and hygienic food.

It stressed providing adequate police support to judicial magistrates conducting such drives.

The need for medical examinations in cases filed under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act was also discussed.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) raised the issue of medical examinations in the context of expediting investigations. The conference stressed that victims' medical examinations and relevant legal requirements should be properly considered when accepting and investigating such cases.

APP attendance raised

The issue of assistant public prosecutors (APPs) not attending regularly in most courts was also raised.

The conference urged the public prosecutor of the Dhaka District Judge's Court to ensure that APPs attend court regularly and on time for the smooth and effective conduct of court proceedings.

A representative of the public prosecutor assured the conference that necessary steps would be taken in this regard.