Ensure neutrality, sincerity to establish rule of law: President

Terming judges as conscience of the nation, President Abdul Hamid today urged them to remain neutral and utmost sincere in establishing the rule of law in the country. 

"Your knowledge, confidence in the constitution and law and accountability to the country and the people play an important role in getting justice by the people," said the President while addressing the opening session of the 'National Judicial Conference 2015' at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here.

Chief Justice of Bangladesh Surendra Kumar Sinha presided over the session while Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haq and State Minister for ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak spoke on the occasion. 

Abdul Hamid said the judiciary is the last resort of hope for the people. Settlement of cases within a reasonable time limit is essential for establishing justice, he said. 

"It is expected by all that the judges would conduct judicial activities impartially, maintaining highest sincerity and honesty and rising above all sorts of fears and favors for ensuring justice," said the President.

He said the main problem of judicial system is delay in trial and case backlog. There are many reasons for delay in delivery of verdict, he said, adding that it is needed to make adequate numbers of trail room, fulfilling the vacant posts of judges and balancing the number of judges and cases for bringing expected speed in the trial activities. 

"You will have to give attention that handing over verdict or order is not delayed after completion of hearing or arguments of a case. As a result, people's confidence in the judiciary would increase, you would also remain transparent to your conscience," said the President.

"Unreasonable delay in delivering order or verdict is no way accepted . . . we don't want the proverb 'Justice delayed, Justice denied' remains effective to our judiciary," he added.

Abdul Hamid said the power and responsibility of a democratic state like Bangladesh are bestowed upon the executive, law and judicial organs and separate entity of these three organs have been considered as essential for fulfilling democracy for decades. 

"The judiciary plays an important role in establishing law of law and participatory democracy in real sense and a society remains integrated and balanced by only a strong judicial system," he said, adding, " Not only the rule of law, people expect that establishment of good governance will also be the prime aim of the judicial department".

He said the confidence of the people seeking justice is gradually increasing in the judiciary because of a rise in the number of settlement of cases in the Supreme Court and the courts under it under the dynamic leadership of the Chief Justice. 

The decisions taken by the Chief Justice for the overall development of the judiciary, including digitalization, deserve appreciation, he said, adding that online cause-list system helps people know information about cause-list and other related information. 

Besides, introduction of online bail confirmation system has helped reduce the sufferings of the people, he added. 

The President said the present government has taken up various realistic programmes for the overall development of the country and Bangladesh's image is becoming brighter at home and abroad. 

Bangladesh has already become a lower middle income country, he said adding that the rate of poverty is coming down, construction of Padma Bridge with own finance is progressing fast and per capita income is also increasing. 

"Bangladesh is now considered as a role model of development in the world," he said and urged all professionals to continue to play a positive role from their respective position to maintain the present trend of development.