Editor's Pick

Editorial

CJ's admonitory remarks on errant judges

We thank him for baring the unpalatable truths
13 November 2010, 18:00 PM
EDITORIAL
Chief Justice Khairul Haque has given an eloquent, authentic and powerful utterance to the impressions of the judiciary that the public held but couldn't themselves vent out. In reading the public pulse with a discerning and conscientious mind he observes; "The people of Bangladesh are not happy with us ... with our performance, credibility, integrity and honesty ...". Risking being self-deprecatory, his address to 180 district judges at the Supreme Court premises is a timely, much-needed intervention; for, he had to pull in the reins before things aggravated any further, in a bid to restore the lost public esteem for the judiciary. He has hit the nail on the head asserting that the entire judicial system hinges on the district judges which is why their probity of conduct should be the cornerstone of dispensation of justice. The CJ has identified specific areas where the self-correction process must begin, with, for instance, truancy manifest in setting out for Dhaka every Thursday and returning to the workplace on Sunday morning. When there is such a huge backlog of cases how could the judges not show due diligence? Overindulgence to nazir or the head assistant of the office confiding to him all matters better kept to the judges themselves and receiving monetary gratification through them is a shame. What if only a few do these, they blight the image of the entire judiciary. He called it a 'big business' in pursuit of which notices and summons, even though issued, wouldn't be served. In granting bail, caution and prudence need to be applied, something that the CJ has counseled in some practical details. Indeed, lawbreakers now-a-days are influential people and if bail would be granted to them they might bend the investigation their way. But if an investigation is too long, an exception can be made. At the same time no one should be detained without sufficient reason. No fetters should be placed on any individual's liberty without convincing legal grounds to back up detention. Like the CJ we are also cognizant of the poor working conditions in which most of the courts have to work. This is an area which should be looked into and the judiciary given all basic logistical support by the government.

Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

Click to comment
FIFA live scorecard banner
FIFA logo
Group D
10'
United States
United States
1 - 0
Live
Australia
Australia

Related News