Dhaka, Dec 7 – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said the government is thinking about introducing a virtual court in the country. Speaking at the National Judicial Conference-2019, she said it will reduce the risk and hassle to bring and take back notorious criminals from jail as there is a risk that they might be snatched midway.
She also hoped that judges, being accountable to the country, its people and the Constitution, will help ensure the rule of law and justice using their merit and creativity.
“I don’t want that like us someone will wait for years [for justice] while bearing the pain of losing their kith and kin. Let all have justice and shelter of law that are described in our Constitution,” she told the conference themed “Justice for Peace and Development” at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain presided over the inaugural programme where Law Minister Anisul Huq spoke as the special guest. Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar also spoke there while Registrar General of the Supreme Court Md Ali Akbar delivered the welcome speech.
The daylong conference will discuss all relevant issues, including the backlog of cases, digitalisation in the judiciary and effective court administration management.
Judges from the Appellate and High Court divisions of the Supreme Court and subordinate courts across the country are attending the function.
Sheikh Hasina said she thinks parliament, judiciary and the executive are very much essential while running the state.
“These three organs will operate with their laws and policies. Again, there should be coordination among these three organs, which will advance the country toward peace and development,” she said.
Hasina also said she believes that this coordination among the three organs of the country is urgently needed to ensure justice for the people and development.
The Prime Minister said the government wanted the continuation of the democratic process in the country. In this connection, she thanked and congratulated the judiciary for their bold step to declare illegal the grabbing of state power through the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 and freed the country from stigma.
“As a result, it was easy to continue the democratic process of the country as well as expediting development,” she said.
As per the constitution, Hasina said, the President promulgated rules and regulations for distributing government’s job and run it. The President also promulgates the warrant of precedence.
“The President only has the jurisdiction to make any change in these matters. As per the Constitution, there’s no scope to raise a question in court about the activities of the President,” she said.
But, she said, it is often seen that courts issue rules regarding the jurisdiction of the President.
“If one (organ of the state) interferes in another’s job then it will be tough to run the state or ensure justice or peace or development of the country,” Hasina said.
She also described numerous programmes for the development of the judiciary.
Regarding the writing of verdict in English, the PM said Bengali version should be there simultaneously so that people can understand the verdict properly. “You should consider this matter,” she said.
Defending mobile courts by executive magistrates, Hasina said this court has gained popularity among people as this type of courts confirms immediate punishment to culprits. Due to the mobile courts, she said, the pressure of additional cases on the judiciary has reduced. – UNB
