Dhaka: The cabinet on Monday approved the draft for increasing power of executive magistrates who run mobile court.

Cabinet secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan after the regular meeting of the cabinet told the journalists that cabinet sanctioned the draft of Mobile Court Amendment Act 2015, which was presented before Home Ministry.

According to the draft the magistrates can hand over punishment by using Information Communication Technology (ICT) and considering the circumstances. However, magistrates can take the opinions of the specialists if needed.

As per the existing law, magistrates can award punishment only if any accused confesses his crime. But in the revised act magistrates can hand over punishment by using technology irrespective of the confession or denial of the accused, said Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan.
The cabinet secretary said the Mobile Court Act was made in 2009 to guarantee quick decision over anti-adulteration drive, eve-teasing, copying in examination, election fraud and ensuring security for people and their wealth.

Around 5.5lakh cases were dismissed through the mobile court act from 2010 to 2014, said Mosharraf Hossain.

The magistrates presented the problems they face while directing mobile court before the cabinet and cabinet took action to modify the act, said the secretary.

Mosharraf Hossain said earlier several accused were freed from punishment as they did not confess their crimes in front of the court.