At the 8th A K Khan Memorial Law Lecture-2026 held at Chittagong University, Justice (Retd.) Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, former National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman, delivered a compelling keynote address advocating for comprehensive e-Judiciary reforms. His speech, themed 'Trust Deficit in Bangladesh Judiciary: A Way Forward,' emphasized the urgent need for digital transformation within the judicial system to enhance transparency and rebuild public trust.
Justice Chowdhury highlighted that livestreaming high-profile court proceedings would significantly dispel the secrecy often associated with judicial processes. 'Judgments should be published promptly,' he said, adding that simplifying legal language in these judgments would make them more accessible to ordinary citizens. He also urged judges to embrace technology and support the development of AI-driven tools to manage case timelines and improve resource allocation effectively.
The former NHRC Chairman identified several critical challenges facing Bangladesh's judicial system, including perceived corruption, case backlogs, political influence, and limited access to justice for rural citizens. To tackle these issues, he proposed five key pillars for reform: integrity and impartiality, efficiency and innovation, transparency, accountability, and unblemished conduct. He believes that greater automation of judicial procedures and a gradual transition to e-Judiciary could help reduce the backlog of over 45 lakh pending cases across the country.
Addressing the event as chief guest, Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammed Al-Forkan echoed Justice Chowdhury's concerns, particularly regarding corruption, case backlogs, political influence, and poor access to justice in rural areas. The event, jointly organized by the Law Faculty of Chittagong University and A K Khan Foundation, also saw participation from CU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammed Al-Amin and A K Khan Foundation trustee A M Ziauddin Khan. Prof Dr Rakiba Nabi, chairman of the Department of Law, delivered the opening remarks, while Prof Dr M Jafar Ullah Talukder, dean of the Law Faculty, chaired the session.
The call for e-Judiciary and livestreaming is part of a broader movement towards modernizing the judicial system in Bangladesh. By leveraging technology, the judiciary aims to enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and improve transparency. This initiative is crucial for restoring public confidence and ensuring that justice is accessible and understandable to all citizens.
