SC Judges' Complex Inaugurated
PM for quick disposal of cases
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offers prayers after laying the foundation of the Judges' Complex for the judges of the Supreme Court at Kakrail in city yesterday. On her right are Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haq and Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed.Photo: PID
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon the Supreme Court Judges to take steps for quick disposal of all pending cases. “Please take initiative to dispose all sorts of cases quickly,” she told the judges at a function after laying the foundation of the Judges' Complex for the judges of the Supreme Court. The premier also urged them to carry out their responsibilities impartially rising above all sorts of fear, anger and emotion as the court is the last resort for the mass people. “The sacred constitution and the existing laws of the land should be the guidelines for the judges,” she said. Quoting noted philosopher Plato that "Justice means minding one's own business and not meddling with other men's concerns," the premier said it is the duty of all judges to uphold this spirit. She said the democratic process of the country was undermined following repeated military rule. It was the Awami League with support of people of all strata that restored democracy through strong movements. The process is underway to amend the country's constitution and her government is determined to ensure good governance through establishing rule of law in the country, Hasina said. She said justice will certainly be ensured if the judge's conscience is strong. In this regard, she quoted Mahatma Gandhi that "there is higher court than courts of justice and this is the court of conscience and it supersedes all other courts." Mentioning the adage "Justice delayed justice denied," the PM suggested the judges and lawyers to dispose of over 20 lakh cases, pending in the apex court and lower courts, in order to ensure that the justice-seekers do not lose everything. For quick disposal of pending cases, she said the pending civil and criminal cases should be categorised in way so that the older cases are disposed first according to importance. The present government in line with its election pledges has already taken necessary steps to digitalise the country's judicial system for ensuring quick justice, the PM added. The Supreme Court Judges' Complex, high-rise Residential Tower and Entertainment Centre, will cost Tk 140.56 crore and the project is scheduled to be implemented by 2013. The Public Works Ministry is the implementing agency of the project and the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry the initiating authority. Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haq, Law Minister Barrister Shafique Ahmed, State Minister for Law Advocate Quamrul Islam, State Minister for Housing and Public Works Advocate Abdul Mannan Khan and lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon, among others, spoke on the occasion.
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