THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Special courts will be set up in all districts to expedite and complete cases related to the Regulation of Production and Marketing of Tobacco Products (COTPA Act). The High Court decided with the new step after assessing that a good load of cases still remain pending in the trial stage while COTPA cases are also showing an increasing trend in Kerala.

The High Court directed the Chief Judicial Magistrates to collect information on all COTPA cases registered till August 31 in the Special Magistrate Courts and other Courts of all districts in Kerala. Information about the cases should be made available before October 4. It is also proposed to transfer the registered cases related to cigarettes and tobacco products to newly established special courts.

As part of the Onam special drive, 7785 cases related to tobacco products were registered across the state from August 6 to September 5. A fine of Rs 15.56 lakh was imposed. 2203 kg of tobacco products were seized.