President Mohammed Shahabuddin today urged all concerned of the Bangladesh Supreme Court (SC) to provide constant efforts to ensure justice for the litigants speedily.

“Help ensure justice for the litigants speedily,” the president said while addressing a discussion at the Supreme Court’s Inner Court on the occasion of “Bangladesh Supreme Court Day” this afternoon.

Besides, the Head of State also advised all concerned of the court to remain more cautious so that no litigants would have to wait in the court’s corridor to get a copy of the verdict.

Noting that the use of information technology in judicial activities has brought a revolutionary change to case disposal, he said, “I hope that from now on, the traditional proverb ‘Justice delayed, justice denied’ won’t be used as an example in the country’s judiciary.”

President Shahabuddin hoped that the Bangladesh Supreme Court, the country’s apex court, would ensure the due dignity of the Constitution written by dint of the blood of three million martyrs for getting justice and fulfilling the people’s aspirations.

Terming the court’s lawyers as an essential part of the judiciary, Shahabuddin, a former SC lawyer said, “Without the help of lawyers, the judicial activities cannot progress and the coordination as well as cooperation between bench and bar is very important in the judicial process.”

Coordination and cooperation between these three state organs — legislative, executive, and judiciary is very essential in running the state, he pointed out.

A retired Sessions Judge Mohammed Shahabuddin, in his speech, reminisced about the law profession and outlined the background to the establishment of the Supreme Court.

He said the Supreme Court is the last shelter of common people where they look for justice and protection of rights.

“The Supreme Court is the symbol of the trust of the people of all walks of life and the glory of the nation as well,” the President added, terming the SC as a protector and ultimate interpreter of the Constitution.

He also urged the Supreme Court authority to exercise the ‘power of judicial review’ with great caution.

He said the farsighted leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave the nation one of the best constitutions in the world within a year of victory, which is a rare and unforgettable event in the history of world democracy.

The President said since its inception on December 18, 1972, the SC has been playing a prestigious role as the guardian and protector of the Constitution, in addition to protecting human rights and ensuring justice in times of peace and crisis.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has always played a strong role in cancelling any law that conflicts with the Constitution, he also mentioned.

Shahabuddin, a valiant freedom fighter, said after the killing of Father of the Nation, the anti-independence forces imposed military rule in the country and tried to destroy democracy forever by violating the Constitution in many ways.

However, the dictators fell in the face of popular resistance, the President observed.

The Head of State said Bangabandhu had always worked to ensure that none, irrespective of religion, caste, rich and poor, while his daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is prioritizing the implementation of various development projects, including infrastructural development of the country’s judicial system.

Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque, Attorney General Abu Mohammad Amin Uddin, Supreme Court Lawyers’ Association President Md Momtaz Uddin Fakir, and Bangladesh SC Judges Committee President Justice M Enayetur Rahim spoke on the occasion.

-BSS.