Justice for poor

Justice Tafazzul Islam

The newly appointed Chief Justice, Md Tafazzul Islam, yesterday said he would try the best in his brief stint to ensure justice for all especially the poor.
"Our goal is to make the poor happy by ensuring justice. Establishment of justice and the rule of law is necessary to uphold democracy in the country," he said.
He made the remarks while talking to The Daily Star after swearing in as the chief justice.
Justice Tafazzul will go into retirement on February 7 next year.
The chief justice said a significant number of poor people have been waiting to get justice for a long time but a vested quarter is creating obstacles to establishing justice using the loopholes in the laws.
"Law has to govern everything, otherwise tyranny will prevail and the rule of law will be harmed," he said.
The chief justice said establishing justice and rule of law would be a challenge for him.
"We face challenges. But I think if the Supreme Court remains vibrant, it is possible to overcome the obstacles," he said.
Giving an example, he said India has many problems but its judiciary is doing well since the Indian Supreme Court is vibrant.
If everything goes right, he would be able to handle the challenges, said Justice Tafazzul.
The chief justice said they are making progress gradually to reach their goals.
President Zillur Rahman administered oath to the new chief justice at Bangabhaban at 9:30am.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Abdul Hamid, cabinet members, chairmen and members of parliamentary standing committees, former chief justices, judges of the Appellate Division and High Court Division of the Supreme Court, the attorney general, parliament members, the chiefs of the armed forces, the president and the secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association, vice chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council, and the registrar of the Supreme Court were present
On December 15, the president appointed Justice Tafazzul, a senior justice of the Supreme Court, as the 17th chief justice of the country.
Justice Tafazzul, who was appointed judge in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on August 27, 2003, headed the apex court bench that gave the landmark verdict in the Bangabandhu assassination case.