Kerala HC directs State government to operationalise NDPS special courts

Why in news

The Kerala High Court directed the State government to operationalise five new special courts to address the high pendency of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases.

Background

The Kerala High Court ordered the establishment of two special courts in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, and three new NDPS courts in Palakkad, Thrissur, and Manjeri. The directive was issued following a suo motu plea regarding the backlog of narcotics-related cases in the state.

Facts for Prelims

• BodyNDPS Act: Empowers State governments to constitute special courts for the trial of offences under the Act
• PlaceNew NDPS courts to be established in Palakkad, Thrissur, and Manjeri
• FactThe Kerala High Court mandated the operationalisation of these courts within a three-month timeframe

For Mains

Q. Examine the institutional challenges in the adjudication of narcotics-related crimes in India and suggest measures to reduce judicial pendency under the NDPS Act.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Judicial bottleneck: High pendency of narcotics cases delaying the enforcement of the NDPS Act
• Administrative decentralization: State-level empowerment to constitute special courts to expedite trial processes

Keywords: Judicial Pendency · NDPS Act · Suo Motu · Special Courts · Narcotics Enforcement

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