Despite delayed justice, six persons responsible for the death of 76 infants who were given toxic paracetamol 23 years ago, have finally been punished. Three persons were punished last year for a similar crime. Both incidents created a nationwide sensation. According to experts, 10-year imprisonment and fine for manufacturing adulterated drugs, as provided by the drug control ordinance of 1982, is inadequate. This is a question of life and death, after all.

This incident also brought to the limelight another unpleasant reality. The precedent set by the inordinately delayed system of justice is contrary to the spirit of the constitution. Article 35 (3) calls for speedy trial of criminal offences. And of the six officials sentenced in these two cases, five are fugitives.

We would like to draw the attention of the authorities to recent recommendations of the law commission headed by Justice ABM Khairul Huq. In a drug-related case last year of the state v. Helen Pasha, the accused were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment. It took 21 years for the verdict to be passed. This goes to show that the  objective of the speedy trial act has failed.

It is only natural for the public to feel that the state is not adequately empathetic towards helpless infants. If the government wants to prove that it is different from previous government’s it must take effective measures against this intolerable judicial situation. It is possible to separate child related cases and ensure the speedy trial of these cases. The law commission’s recommendations can be implemented. We hope the government acts accordingly.