The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chief Justice M Ruhul Amin

For many years, there was a long felt national demand and desire for separating the Judiciary from the Executive. By the grace of Allah, we are going to have that long cherished desire of the people translated into reality through today's historic event.

On this momentous occasion, I along with the people express gratitude to the Almighty Allah, who gave us the strength and wisdom to implement the process of separation initiated following the landmark Judgement given by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in Masder Hossain's case in 1999.

Since the making of the Constitution on 4th November, 1972 the entire nation had to wait for about 35 years to see the separation of the Judiciary from the Executive in view of the mandate enshrined in Article 22 of the Constitution.

It is true in fulfilment of the above constitutional obligation, we have been very much late. However, in this context I may mention the proverb-- "It is better late than never."

We are going to be blessed with such a system where members of the Judicial Service will be exercising the magisterial power for handling criminal cases at the district level. The Judicial functionaries wield judicial power which is actually not a power, but a pledge to wipe out tears caused by injustice.

I am fully aware of the problems and disadvantages with which the newly-posted Judicial Magistrates will have to work during the transitional period.

In spite of all these, may I request all Judicial Magistrates to remain fully committed in discharging the challenging task so assigned with utmost sincerity and dedication so as to live up to the expectation of the people at large. The Judicial Magistrates, you are to establish justification of separation of magistracy from executive.

Each organ of a State has its own set of duties.

But to my mind, the end of all activities of each organ is to secure justice for the people.

The duty of the State does not end with enactment of some laws and establishment of some institutions.

In order to make the law effective and to make the Justice Delivery System functional, the other organs of the State including the Executive will hopefully play a supportive role for making the promise of Justice a real one.

So far I understand, every member of the Judiciary is under a public duty to administer justice in its truest sense at minimum time and cost.

I have the firm conviction the members of the judiciary shouldering the new responsibility will be able to magnify the image of judiciary and restore public confidence through their hard work and dedicated service.

Before I close, I would like to express my thanks to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for arranging this function and inviting me to be here.

I wish you all good luck and thank you for giving me a patient hearing.

(Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Md. Ruhul Amin made the statement at the inauguration of the Separation of the Judiciary).