High Court (HC) has disposed of 62,637 old cases in just 12 working days, marking a significant stride toward reducing case backlogs and ensuring speedy justice, a development expected to further strengthen public confidence in the country's judiciary.

"Case backlog has long been one of the major challenges facing Bangladesh's judicial system. Therefore, the initiative to expedite the disposal of old cases will not only bring an end to the prolonged wait of litigants but also further strengthen public confidence and trust in the judiciary," said Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal.

The chief state counsel further said that under the direction of the Chief Justice, the High Court Division of the Supreme Court has disposed of 62,637 old cases in just 12 working days through a special initiative to expedite the disposal of long-pending cases.

"This is undoubtedly a significant and encouraging achievement. Particularly commendable is the disposal of 5,405 old criminal miscellaneous cases in a single day," he added.

Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal said that the Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, all the judges of the High Court Division and the Supreme Court administration deserved appreciation and thanks for such a timely and effective initiative having been taken to reduce the case backlog.

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He said that more such effective and timely initiatives were expected to be taken under the leadership of the Chief Justice so that cases could be disposed of swiftly, the prolonged wait of justice-seekers could be brought to an end, and people's right to justice could be made easier, faster and more effective.

Kazal also stated that the Attorney General's Office would continue to cooperate to facilitate the speedy disposal of cases.

Supreme Court public relations officer Md Shafiqul Islam said a total of 5,405 old criminal miscellaneous cases were disposed of by 13 criminal motion benches of the High Court Division on August 13.

With this, a total of 55,730 old criminal miscellaneous cases were disposed of in just 12 working days. Since the launch of the special initiative for the disposal of old cases, a total of 62,637 old cases, including criminal miscellaneous and writ cases, have so far been disposed of.

Shafiqul Islam further said that the special initiative was launched on May 7, under which judges of the Criminal Motion and Writ Motion Benches of the High Court Division were instructed to prioritise the disposal of long-pending cases and to dispose of old criminal miscellaneous and writ cases on designated days each week.

"The initiative to dispose of old cases would continue," the Supreme Court public relations officer added.

Writer: Didarul Alam