Dual governance in judiciary must go to ensure true independence of judges

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Saturday said the true independence of the judges will not be ensured until the long-standing dual governance in the country's judiciary is completely abolished.

He said this while addressing the lower court judges across the country at a programme organised at the Supreme Court's Inner Garden.

The Chief Justice also outlined a roadmap for the judiciary at the event held under the banner of "Addressing of Chief Justice".

The Chief Justice further said a separate secretariat under the Supreme Court of Bangladesh must be established on an urgent basis, by abolishing the joint authority of Supreme Court and law ministry.

It will be the first step of necessary reforms for ensuring independence of judiciary.

Justice Ahmed said, "There has been blatant interference with the judiciary over the years. The values of justice have been destroyed and perverted. Attempts have been taken to use the judiciary as an instrument of deception, deprivation, oppression and torture. This has created a crisis of people's trust in the judiciary."

In a changing context, he hoped to establish such a judiciary which will become a safe bastion of guarantee of integrity and sense of rights.

"The function of an equitable justice system is to protect the people, society and the state by ensuring impartial and cost-effective resolution of disputes. Separation of judiciary from the executive and legislature is most important for this. Because, establishing rule of law, not the law of ruler, is the duty of judiciary," he said.

Law Advisor Dr Asif Nazrul and Attorney General Md Asaduzzamn attended the programme as special guests.

Justice Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman, chairman of the Judiciary Reforms Commission and former Appellate Division judge, and Barrister AM Mahubub Uddin Khokan, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, lower court judges, among others, were also present at the event.

Dr Asif Nazrul said, "We want to establish true justice. The interim government does not support harassing people with ghost cases. We need to get out of the culture of harassing people by filing random cases. Judges should see that citizens are not harassed unnecessarily."

Addressing the HC judges, the law adviser said, "People come to the judges seeking justice. But they (judges) feel embarrassed. Why do you feel embarrassed? You will feel embarrassed when your siblings will come to you for seeking justice. People come to you as the last resort. How you feel embarrassed?"

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman said, "The judges who played a role in suppressing people's rights by associating the fascist government are still holding important posts. The nation will get a wrong message if it continues. I seek law adviser's attention to the issue."

Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, registrar general of the SC, delivered welcome address at the programme.

District and Sessions Judge of Khulna Mahmuda Khatun and Chief Judicial Magistrate of Naogaon Biswanath Mandol also made speeches representing the lower court judges.

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