The deputy commissioners yesterday demanded the authority to conduct summary trial, the power they had enjoyed before separation of the judiciary from the executive in November 2007.
They made the demand at the inaugural session of a three-day DC conference at the Prime Minister's Office.
The DCs said they want the authority back because without it they cannot try anyone while operating mobile courts in their districts, said sources who were present at the session, held behind closed doors with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Those held by mobile courts do not admit to crime, and it leaves no alternative but to send them to court, which is a lengthy process, said the DCs.
The offenders later come out as innocent; and for this, the victims do not appreciate mobile-court drives, they added.
Contacted, noted jurist Shahdeen Malik said the demand is unacceptable, as the Supreme Court has revoked judicial powers of the executive magistrates.
"Such demand can only stem from misunderstanding and lack of knowledge about the rule of law, constitutionalism and separation of power. It is totally unacceptable," he added.
Calling for immediate passage of the Contempt of Court Act-2011, the DCs said they often face contempt charges while discharging duties and have to appoint lawyers to stand for them in the proceedings. They urged the government to appoint public prosecutors to move for them.
In response, the prime minister said her cabinet has already approved in principle the draft of the Contempt of Court Act-2011. Parliament will soon pass the law.
About their demand for power to hold summary trial, she said everything will be done through discussion.
Making the information service centre of union parishads more functional and devising specific policy to allocate government lands among the landless were the other demands raised in the conference.
Seventeen DCs took part in the discussion.
At the session on the education ministry, some DCs alleged that a section of teachers at the MPO-listed educational institutions and members of their governing committees are involved in various irregularities, but no action could be taken against them.
Though the government is paying full salary to the teachers of these institutions, there is no mechanism to ensure their accountability and transparency in the use of the funds, they said.
Many teachers and employees resort to irregular practices with the connivance of the governing bodies, which are headed by local lawmakers or their nominees.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid assured the DCs of necessary steps to resolve the problems they face.
He sought their cooperation in implementing the projects undertaken for development of the education sector.
On the first day of the conference, discussions were held also on finance, science, information and technology, primary education, home, liberation war affairs, land, housing and public works, planning and environment and forest ministries.
Source : The Daily Star
