Parliamentary Stranding Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Sunday recommended bringing amendments to the old laws enacted in British period including criminal procedures code, penal code and civil laws.The recommendation was made at a meeting of the committee at Sangsad Bhaban with its chairman Fazle Rabbi Miah in the chair.
The committee also recommended improving the infrastructure along with appointing necessary number of judges to reduce the case backlog.
Committee members—Md Rahmat Ali, Khan Tipu Sultan, Nurul Islam Sujan, and Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh attended the meeting. Senior government officials including Law Commission Chairman ABM Khairul Haque were present on the occasion.
Talking to reporters, committee chief said there are over 1200 laws in the country; most of which including criminal procedures code, penal code and civil laws should be amended.
“Though the activities of Law Commission began in 1996 but it could not work duly. That’s why the commission was asked to bring amendment to the existing laws as soon as possible,” he said.
In his statement, ABM Khairul Haque agreed with the recommendation of the committee and said Bangladesh cannot go ahead with the laws enacted in 1861. Amendment to all the old laws is needed, he observed.
Fazle Rabbi Miah also recommended the Law Commission to play an effective role to enact new laws considering the present perspective.
Replying to a question, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs said the case backlog exists due to lack of infrastructure.
He however said that the present government has constructed 12-storey court buildings in 39 districts in the country and the construction of the rest is in progress.
Besides, he said over three hundred judges were appointed during the four and half years of the government in power.
The meeting was informed that a total of 19 laws including International Crimes Tribunal (Amendment) Act-2009, Hindu Marriage Registration Law-2012, Artha Rin Adalat-2001 and Right to Information Law 2009 were enacted in accordance with the Law Commission so far.
– Staff Reporter
