Prosecution directed to take steps for Rifat murder trial: Law minister

Law Minister Anisul Huq today said that he has directed the prosecution to take necessary steps for immediately starting the trial proceedings of Barguna’s youth Rifat Sharif murder case.

“The way the trial proceedings of Feni’s madrasa student Nusrat Jahan Rafi killing case started, the proceedings of all other much-talked-about cases will begin quickly. I have already instructed the prosecution to take necessary steps to this effect after getting their investigation reports,” he said.

He was speaking to journalists after a meeting with Singapore High Commissioner in Dhaka Derek Loh at his (law minister) Gulshan residential office today.

The law minister said the government want to use the experience of Singapore to reduce the huge backlog of pending cases which is a very big problem in the country.

More than 35.82 lakh cases are now pending with Appellate and High Court Divisions of the Supreme Court and lower courts across the country, law ministry sources said.

“The government is trying in different ways to reduce the backlog of cases. Singapore had such a problem in the past. They (Singapore) have solved the problem very tactfully. We can use their expertise in reducing the backlog of cases,” he said.

Minister Anisul, however, said Singapore High Commissioner Derek Loh has informed that it is difficult for them to share expertise with Bangladesh due to their manpower crisis.

He said the Singapore High Commissioner told him that the businessmen of that country are interested to invest in Bangladesh as the law and environment of Bangladesh regarding business are in their favour.

Therefore, much investment has to come Bangladesh, the law minister added.