Transparency International, Bangladesh (TIB) said Thursday that the trial of cases are often delayed in courts and corruption goes up here for lack of good governance.
A new TIB study reveals that lingering trial of cases in the country’s subordinate courts and the rise of corruption are interconnected.
The study shows that control and supervision of Supreme Court and the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on the subordinate courts have been posing threat to the independent of judiciar and creating administrative conflicts.
The findings of the study titled ‘State of subordinate courts in Bangladesh: Governance challenges and way forward’ were released at a press conference at TIB head office in the capital on Thursday.
TIB programme manager (research and policy division) Shammi Laila Islam and its assistant programme manager Nazmul Huda Mina jointly presented the findings of the study.
The study says although some positive steps have been taken to make the country’s subordinate courts effective, governance challenges still remain in the courts due to lack of infrastructure, logistic and transparency and accountability, illegal exchange of money and corruption.
Bribe must be given to different people at every stage during the trial of cases in the subordinate courts while officials of the courts, in many cases, do not work without taking bribe, it unearthed.
The study says there are allegations that sometime Tk 20,000 to Tk 10 lakh has to be given as bribe to influence the order of subordinate courts. Public prosecutors realise Tk 200 to six lakh from their clients for various works, including hearing of witnesses and withdrawal of cases.
Speaking at the press conference, TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said despite having many limitations, the country’s subordinate courts have been playing an important role in ensuring justice to people.
But, he said, a system of bribery has already been established there and it is now institutionalised, which is a matter of concern.
He urged all the stakeholders concerned to come forward to address the existing challenges of subordinate courts aiming to ensure people’s access to justice.
