By Habibur Rahman

DHAKA, May 04, 2026 (BSS)- The government has undertaken a series of coordinated and multi-dimensional measures to reduce the mounting backlog of cases in courts, raising hopes for faster and more effective disposal of cases.

Case backlog has emerged as a major challenge for the country’s legal and judicial system. According to the Bangladesh Supreme Court, the number of pending cases across the country stood at 47,42,731 as of December 31 last year. 

Concerned officials expressed optimism that proper implementation of the ongoing initiatives would significantly ease the burden.

Supreme Court Registrar General Muhammad Habibur Rahman Siddique told BSS that the Chief Justice has been prioritising case disposal since assuming office. Due to his proactive initiatives, nearly 4,000 cases have been disposed of in the Appellate Division within just two and a half months, indicating renewed momentum in the justice system.

He said that although case pressure in the Appellate Division has increased recently, older cases are being prioritised for disposal under the Chief Justice’s directives. Judges and magistrates in lower courts have also been instructed to make maximum use of court hours to expedite proceedings.
Acting Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milan said that the measures announced by Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, if implemented properly, would benefit litigants, lawyers and all stakeholders in the justice system.

The Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister told the first session of the Jatiya Sangsad that ensuring swift, transparent and affordable justice is a commitment of the government. He expressed hope that gradual implementation of the measures would significantly reduce pending cases and ensure timely justice for citizens.

Explaining the causes of judicial delay, the minister said both structural and procedural limitations persist, including shortage of judges, inadequate courtrooms, weak infrastructure and lack of support staff. 

Frequent adjournments, absence of witnesses, delays in investigation reports and multi-tiered appeal processes also contribute to delays, he added. 

As part of legal reforms, the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been passed, introducing provisions for issuing summons through SMS and voice calls to reduce delays in traditional methods. 

It also simplifies filing of plaints and written statements through affidavits, direct cross-examination and decree execution processes.

Similarly, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been enacted, streamlining procedures for absconding accused, enabling digital summons and increasing the use of technology in criminal proceedings.
Under the Information Technology Act, 2020, testimonies of investigating officers, doctors and magistrates are already being recorded online, reducing the need for physical presence and saving time and costs, thereby accelerating judicial processes.

To reduce case backlog, the government has taken initiatives to increase the number of courts and judges. A total of 871 new courts have been established and 232 judicial posts created, while the process to create 304 more posts is underway. Recruitment of 150 civil judges is also progressing, alongside efforts to appoint support staff.

Special committees have been formed to expedite the disposal of priority cases, including those related to women and children. Mandatory mediation before filing cases has been introduced in 20 districts, yielding positive results by reducing case filings and increasing dispute resolution rates.
Legal aid services are being expanded to the upazila level with free assistance available through the ‘16699’ hotline, improving access to justice for ordinary people.

As part of infrastructure development, projects have been undertaken to construct Chief Judicial Magistrate court buildings in 23 districts along with expansion and construction of court facilities in various districts.

Registrar General Siddiqi said there is no single reason behind the backlog, noting that legal shortcomings, pressure of appeals and lack of adequate technological and human resources collectively contribute to the problem.

He stressed the importance of appointing stenographers and computer operators for judges, which would significantly enhance efficiency. He also pointed out that lack of proper infrastructure and working conditions prevents many judges from performing at full capacity, while sharing of courtrooms among multiple judges leads to delays.

He said prolonged delays in justice are creating frustration among the public, pushing some towards informal dispute resolution mechanisms where they may fall victim to fraud.

Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milan said judicial reform is a continuous process and results will take time. However, he said, proper implementation of the government’s measures would make Bangladesh’s justice system more transparent, dynamic and people-friendly in the future.