President Abdul Hamid yesterday urged judges to perform their duties neutrally without being influenced by any fondness or enmity.

"People's fundamental right is to get justice...so being a judge, it is your duty and responsibility to ensure justice for the litigants," he told judges, while addressing a pre-dinner function at the Bangabhaban. Terming judiciary a symbol of public confidence, the president categorically said justice-seekers would get justice but there was no question of any sympathy or kindness.

If the power bestowed upon the judges is properly utilised for the greater interest of the country and its people, the country will advance more, he observed.

Recalling the proverb "Justice is the crowning glory of virtues", Abdul Hamid urged the judicial representatives to give priority to the welfare of the country and its people.

"There is no alternative to good governance for development... Corruption is a barrier to the good governance and no justice will be established till the corruption disappears from the society."

He urged people, irrespective of party affiliations, classes and professions, to come forward to establish justice in all spheres of life and a corruption-free society.

Referring to the necessity of using information and communication technology (ICT) in personal, family, official and social lives, the president also advised all to take pragmatic steps to make all concerned of the judiciary capable of using the ICT as their working tool.

President Hamid stressed the need for joint efforts of all officials and employees to materialise the Vision 2021 and subsequently Vision-2041 aimed at building the hunger- and poverty-free “Sonar Bangla” designed by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Acting Chief Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, the Supreme Court judges of the Appellate Division and High Court Division, other judges and senior civil and military officials attended the dinner.