The Kerala High Court on Friday (August 21) directed the State to establish three new NDPS courts at Thrissur, Palakkad, and Manjeri by September 10.

It has also directed the State to engage permanent staff for the newly established NDPS courts in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram by the said date.

The Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C. Jayachandran today expressed concern over the delay on the part of the State government in establishing the new courts, taking note of the fact that the direction to do so was made in March:

"We express our concern with regards to the steps taken by the State government for the establishment of three NDPS courts. The matter has been pending before the government for long."

The Bench was seized of a suo motu petition initiated to curb drug menace in the State. During the last hearing, the Court had pulled up the State over the delay in implementing its order to establish and operationalise new NDPS courts in Kerala owing to large pendency of cases.

The Court recorded the submission of Advocate General K. Jaju Babu that both the issues of new courts and appointment of permanent staff would be resolved by September 10. It then adjourned the matter to September 17 (Thursday).

It has asked the State to file a compliance affidavit in the meantime. It added:

"The direction to the engagement of the permanent staff for the existing two NDPS court and establishment of the three NDPS courts earlier should be complied with by that time."

During the last hearing, the Court had also asked about the status of central funds for establishing the new courts. Today, the Deputy Solicitor General of India O.M. Shalina told informed that a meeting was held on July 7 with representatives of the State and the High Court wherein the Union Home Secretary had emphasised for utilisation of the scheme of department of Justice for establishment of special NDPS courts by the State.

Considering the submission, an additional direction was made to the State to take steps and coordinate with the Centre for utilisation of the fund under "development of judicial infrastructure for special NDPS courts". The State's affidavit must disclose the steps taken in this regard, the Court added.

Case No: WP(C) 29179/ 2025

Case Title: Suo Motu Proceedings Initiated by the High Court v. State of Kerala and Ors.

Counsels: K. Jaju Babu - Advocate General, O.M. Shalina - Deputy Solicitor General of India, Leo Lukose – High Court Administration