Separate cadre for judiciary

The government has taken a positive step by forming Bangladesh Judicial Service in line with a Supreme Court directive, a key one among the 12 directions given by the SC Appellate Division in December 1999 aimed at making judiciary a fully autonomous entity, both structurally and functionally freed from all kinds of administrative interference. The creation of a separate cadre of judicial officers will mark the end of appointment of magistrates by the government and the consequent wielding of administrative authority on the working of the lower judiciary which dealt with a huge load of cases affecting the general people's life and as such reflected on the quality of the justice system. It is also at that level where abuse of political power and violation of human rights could receive a kid-glove treatment.

The operational rules will have to be framed now such as the Bangladesh Judicial Service (Constitution, Recruitment Suspension, Dismissal and Removal) Rules, the Bangladesh Judicial Service (Posting, Promotion, Leave, Control, Discipline and other Service Conditions) Rules, and The Bangladesh Judicial Service (Pay Commission) Rules. The law minister asserts that the legal instruments including an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure are in the final stages of promulgation. We hope these are; otherwise people might think that the formation of judicial service was by way of taking more time for the judiciary's separation from the executive.

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