CJ points at integrity

Chief Justice Mohammad Ruhul Amin yesterday called for a greater cooperation and integrity of the judges and lawyers to ensure true independence of the judiciary and thus justice to every citizen of the country.
Terming the separation of the judiciary from the executive another achievement of the nation, he said this reflects the long awaited aspiration of the country's people.
Ruhul Amin was speaking at a discussion on separation of the judiciary for justice and good governance organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at its auditorium. Former chief justices Mostafa Kamal and Mahmudul Amin Chowdhury attended the discussion, which also observed the day as "Judiciary Separation Day".
The former chief justices made strong suggestions for reforms of police and lawyers, and establishing a separate secretariat of the Supreme Court. They also put emphasis on skill-building of the judges.
"The judges and the advocates must work cooperatively so that people can get justice in due time. Otherwise, the separation of the judiciary will not be meaningful," Ruhul Amin said, thanking the present caretaker government for implementing the High Court order.
Former Chief Justice Mostafa Kamal said the Supreme Court should play the watchdog's role round the clock so that the limited number of judicial officers, who are now available to deliver judgments in the lower courts, can conduct their activities correctly.
He said a vacuum has been created now as the number of judges in the lower courts is limited and those who opposed the separation of the judiciary may take advantage and violate peace and order in the society.
Former Chief Justice Mahmudul Amin Chowdhury said the judiciary must be freed from the clutch of the law ministry to make it fully independent and a separate secretariat has to be established under the Supreme Court, if possible, during the present caretaker government's tenure.
Suggesting reforms of the police and lawyers, he said police administration is involved in the legal procedures but it is under the executive. "If the police are not made independent, problems in criminal justice system will not be effectively solved," he added.
Asking the bar associations across the country to cooperate with the judges, Mahmudul said the advocates should be united for the sake of making the total legal system a strong foundation of morality.
Justice MM Haque, Dr Kamal Hossain, Attorney General Fida M Kamal, advocates TH Khan and Mahbubuddin Ahmed, Rokanuddin Mahmud, Ozaer Faruq and Abdul Baset Majumder also spoke at the discussion presided over by SCBA President M Amir Ul Islam.