Bangladesh’s High Court, the lower division of the Supreme Court, on Tuesday directed trial courts in the country to conclude proceedings in drug-related cases promptly.

It instructed lower courts in the country to finish proceedings within six months and also ordered senior police officials such as the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to monitor investigations and the conduct of investigating officers.

Judges Enayetur Rahim and Mostafizur Rahman directed the trial courts to submit reports to the Supreme Court committee on the conduct of public prosecutors and investigation officers. Trial courts will have to show cause to the committee if they fail to finish trials within the prescribed 6-month period. The bench also ordered the law secretary and the Supreme Court registrar general to communicate the order to the lower courts and police.