BSS-55 Legal aid on government’s expense right of poor: CJ

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BSS-55

DISCUSSION-LEGAL AID-SC

Legal aid on government’s expense right of poor: CJ

DHAKA, May 05, 2019 (BSS) – Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain today said legal aid on government’s expense is not a charity; instead it is the right of poor and destitute people of the country and an obligatory duty of the state.

“Legal Aid Services Act, 2000, was formulated to provide legal aid to poor, impoverish and unable to get justice for different socio economic reasons. It is really a fantastic act,” he said.

The chief justice said these while addressing a discussion titled “Government Legal Aid in High Court: Ongoing Process and Expectations” at the Supreme Court here this evening.

Presided over by Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee chairman Justice M Enayetur Rahim, the discussion was addressed by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq as special guest.

Judges of both the divisions of the Supreme Court, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Supreme Court Bar Association president AM Amin Uddin and Manusher Janya Foundation executive director Shahin Anam were present on the occasion, among others.

Terming legal aid as one of the tools to establish rule of law, preserving human rights and ensuring a people-friendly judiciary, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain said it was the dream of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to establish an independent judiciary, which would be last refuge for people.

Law Minister Anisul Huq in his speech said the quicker we can serve helpless people with legal aid, the better they would be able to enjoy the fruits of it.

“Panel lawyers have important role to play in effectively implementing government legal activities. So they have to be more sensitive to performing their duties. They have to be gent and tolerant towards their clients,” he said.

BSS/DA-MHR/KU/2108 HRS