Video recording now mandatory for every mobile court raid, media cells to be formed in every district

The Cabinet Division has issued new instructions to increase the effectiveness of mobile courts and ensure transparency and accountability in their activities. Under the new circular, every raid must now be video-recorded.

The circular also requires accounts of seized goods to be kept and their safe storage ensured. It also directs that designated lawyers be appointed to conduct appeal cases.

Media cells must be formed in every district to inform the public. In addition, peshkars are to be appointed from among employees to assist in running mobile courts, and arrangements made for their training.

District magistrates will select lawyers from among public prosecutors (PP), additional PPs and assistant public prosecutors (APP) to argue for the government at appeal hearings. The court concerned must be informed of their appointment.

The appointed lawyers and executive magistrates will coordinate the progress of cases and the supply of necessary documents. The additional district magistrate will oversee the whole process.

Each district's media cell will have four members. It will be led by an additional deputy commissioner or an additional district magistrate. The district information office and concerned administration officials will be members.

The cell will collect photographs, video and information from raids and, after editing, publish them on government websites, social media and in the news media. The instructions also say technical services may be taken if needed.

The instructions, signed by Cabinet Division Deputy Secretary Nazma Siddika Begum, have taken effect immediately.

The instructions were issued on November 2 from the District Magistracy Monitoring Branch of the Cabinet Division.

Earlier, on October 4, a meeting chaired by the prime minister decided to increase the capacity of mobile courts. The new circular has been issued following that decision.