A special bench must be formed in the High Court Division to ensure a speedy trial in the sensational Ramisa child murder case, Supreme Court Bar Association President AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon said on Sunday.
“The entire nation is dishonoured today due to the brutal, shameless, and disgraceful incident that happened to child Ramisa. As lawyers, our hearts are also bleeding,” he told journalists during a press briefing at the Supreme Court premises.
Khokon noted that past experience shows such cases often remain unresolved for years. “Speedy trial is not illegal. Rather, people look down upon prolonged proceedings.”
He said that delays in hearing appeals in higher courts have eroded public trust. “If someone is convicted, after it reaches the Appellate Division, no one knows how many years it will take for that hearing. People no longer believe in government assurances either.”
The bar president called for immediate appointment of judges to the higher court to reduce the complexity of such cases. He also proposed forming a ‘Compensation Board’ for innocent individuals who are victims of harassment.
“To ensure speedy trial, the prolonged delays in police investigation and judicial processes must be eliminated,” he said.
Khokon pointed out that a shortage of judges has made the Appellate Division largely stagnant. “Previously, there were three benches in the Appellate Division, but now only one bench is functioning.”
He noted that if someone gets bail in the High Court and the Chamber Judge stays it, hearings are not held for seven to eight years. “As a result, delays in people getting justice give rise to corruption.”
“Therefore, the Appellate Division needs to appoint judges quickly so that at least two or three benches can be formed,” he added.
Khokon specifically called for special benches for sensitive incidents, including violence against women and children, saying, “Only then will appeals be disposed of quickly.”
