More than 40 lakh cases remain pending in the country’s subordinate courts as of the end of 2025, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman told Parliament on Thursday.
Replying to scripted questions from opposition bench lawmakers Md Quamrul Hassan (Mymensingh-6) and Md Nurul Islam (Chapainawabganj-3), the minister said a total of 40,41,924 cases were pending in lower courts as of 31 December, 2025.
He said the government has taken multidimensional measures to ensure faster and more effective disposal of the mounting case backlog. According to him, the aim is to ease the suffering of justice seekers and ensure timely, transparent, and affordable justice delivery.
The minister expressed optimism that once the ongoing measures are fully implemented, the number of pending cases would decline significantly, enabling citizens to receive justice without delay. He also noted that the law ministry would consider public suggestions to improve access to justice and reduce backlog pressure.
Highlighting reforms, he said the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has already been passed in Parliament.
The amendments introduce provisions for serving summons via SMS and voice calls, submission of complaints and written statements through affidavits, and allowing direct cross-examination.
It also permits applications to be filed directly in execution-related matters without initiating separate suits.
For criminal case management, he said the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2026 introduces provisions allowing waiver of proclamation and attachment procedures in certain cases involving fugitive accused, aimed at reducing procedural delays. It also expands the use of digital methods in serving summons to accelerate judicial processes.
He further said that under the Information Technology Act, 2020, testimonies of investigating officers, doctors, and magistrates recording confessional statements are now being taken online, helping speed up trial proceedings.
The minister said the government has already established 871 courts and created 232 new judge posts to address the backlog. In addition, the process is underway to create 304 more judge posts, while recruitment of 150 civil judges is ongoing.
He added that the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission has recommended the recruitment of 708 judicial staff, with procedures underway to appoint an additional 553 personnel.
A special committee headed by the Solicitor has also been formed to expedite the investigation and trial of high-profile cases, including those related to violence against women and children.
Md Asaduzzaman further highlighted measures to strengthen legal aid services, including increasing manpower in district legal aid offices, appointing experienced mediators, and operating a toll-free legal aid hotline (16699).
He also noted that cause lists of both subordinate and higher courts have been fully digitised, allowing litigants to check hearing schedules online. This, he said, has improved transparency and reduced harassment in the judicial process.
