The three courts of the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) are functioning without any designated police force.
"Although this is a criminal court, surprisingly no police force is employed here," said a magistrate.
Some claim that local police do not co-operate when they are requested.
"Police officials of the stations close to Nagar Bhaban refuse to carry convicted persons to the central jail. Whenever we ask the Ramna, Kotowali or Lalbagh police stations for help, they decline to assist under different pretexts," said an official of the legal section of the DCC on condition of anonymity.
"Sometimes, magistrates have to wait up to 9-10pm for prisoners to be transported to jails although they are supposed to leave office by 4 pm," he added.
When asked, one of the duty officers of Ramna Police Station shifted the blame on the courts.
"If the DCC courts seek our assistance in writing, then we are obliged to transport prisoners to the jail. But usually we don't receive written requests," he said
Each of the three DCC courts dispose off atleast fifty cases every day.
Most of the cases are related to violation of food standards, illegal occupation of pavements and trade licences and its renewals.
The monetary punishment for those who breach food standard range from Tk 200 to Tk 400. On the other hand, squatters and violators of the license fees could end up paying up to Tk 10,000 as punishment.
"Although imprisonment is an option, we however, aren't able to go for it most of the times because of the unavailability of police force. Therefore, rather than sending anyone to prison, we put emphasis on realising money from the convicted," said another magistrate.
The DCC officials claim that they have repeatedly requested the home ministry for a permanent police force but nothing has been done yet.
"We require atleast eight police personnel including a Sub Inspector. If the government provided the necessary police officials, we could have ensured smooth functioning of the court. It's been a year after our last request, but the home ministry haven't taken any decision" said a highly placed source of the DCC.