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Crime
Kerala High Court orders creation of three NDPS courts by Sept 10 to cut backlog
✍️ Live Law
🗓 21 Aug 2026, 04:39 PM
👁 4
The Kerala High Court has directed the state government to set up three new narcotics courts by September 10 to reduce the mounting case backlog.
The Kerala High Court, sitting in Thiruvananthapuram, issued a directive on Monday ordering the state to establish three additional NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) courts. The order aims to address the severe pendency of narcotics cases that have been overwhelming the existing judicial infrastructure.
According to the court's order, the new courts must be operational by September 10. The High Court emphasized that the current backlog hampers timely justice and encourages the proliferation of drug-related offenses.
The state government has been asked to allocate necessary resources, including judges, staff and courtroom facilities, to ensure the courts are functional within the stipulated timeline. Officials said they will expedite the process to comply with the court's directive.
Legal experts note that the move could significantly improve case disposal rates and serve as a model for other states grappling with similar challenges in drug‑related litigation.
According to the court's order, the new courts must be operational by September 10. The High Court emphasized that the current backlog hampers timely justice and encourages the proliferation of drug-related offenses.
The state government has been asked to allocate necessary resources, including judges, staff and courtroom facilities, to ensure the courts are functional within the stipulated timeline. Officials said they will expedite the process to comply with the court's directive.
Legal experts note that the move could significantly improve case disposal rates and serve as a model for other states grappling with similar challenges in drug‑related litigation.