7,202 cases pending: Kerala HC seeks govt’s stand on setting up NDPS courts in all districts
At present, Kerala has only two dedicated NDPS courts—in Kozhikode and Idukki.
At present, Kerala has only two dedicated NDPS courts—in Kozhikode and Idukki.
At present, Kerala has only two dedicated NDPS courts—in Kozhikode and Idukki.
Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday asked the state government to clarify its position on establishing Special NDPS courts in every judicial district.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji granted time to the government pleader to obtain instructions while hearing a batch of petitions on the state’s drug menace. One among them was a suo motu proceeding initiated by the High Court Registry regarding the need for exclusive NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985) courts.
According to the Registry, as of March 31, 2025, 7,202 NDPS cases were pending before designated or special courts in Kerala, including 1,295 in Ernakulam, 960 in Thiruvananthapuram, 902 in Palakkad, and 777 in Manjeri (Malappuram).
At present, Kerala has only two dedicated NDPS courts—in Kozhikode and Idukki. In all other districts, 68 Principal and Additional District & Sessions Judges are designated to try NDPS cases, but they also handle other matters, making them non-exclusive.
The Court noted that under Section 36(1) of the NDPS Act, the state government has the power to constitute special courts for such trials. It also recorded that the High Court, on its administrative side, has already resolved to recommend one special NDPS court in every judicial district except where such courts are functional.
The bench therefore directed the government to state its stand on implementing the proposal.
(With LiveLaw inputs)