KATHMANDU: Cases related to cyber crimes and banking offenses will now be heard in district courts across the country.

So far cyber crime cases were initiated in the Kathmandu District Court and banking offense cases were initiated by the High Court.

The Meeting of the Council of Ministers held on Tuesday decided that the cases under Section 60 (5) of the Electronic Transactions Act 2063 and the offenses mentioned in Paragraph 9 of the same Act will be initiated and handled by the district court.

Communication and Information Technology Minister Rekha Sharma said that if all the district courts are empowered to hear these cases, it will be easier for the common people.

Similarly, the District Court has been given the right to initiate proceedings and dispose of cases under Section 17 (1) of the Banking Offenses and Punishment Act 2064 and Section 3 (C) of the same Act.