Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Speakers at a meeting here today unanimously said the role of the NGOs, particularly who are providing legal aid, is very vital to make the village courts more effectives and people-friendly.

Village courts are ensuring justice for rural people and contributing to peace and harmony at the grassroots level, they said.

The speakers added that the courts play a vital role in ensuring access to justice for rural women, allowing them to obtain justice easily at low cost.

Administrative officials and experts made the observations while addressing a view-sharing meeting titled “Role of Legal Aid providing NGOs to make village courts effective and way forward” at Zila Parishad conference hall.
 
The district administration, as part of the implementation of the "Activation of Village Court in Bangladesh (Third Phase)" project, organized the meeting to discuss and devise ways to achieve this goal.
 
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Afia Akhter addressed the meeting as the chief guest, while Deputy Director of Local Government Zakiul Islam was in the chair.

Additional Superintendent of Police Helena Akter, Legal Expert Barrister Moshiur Rahman Chowdhury, Project Coordinator of Eco-social Development Organization Maruf Ahmed and Ashrai Regional Manager Rezwan Mondal also spoke.

During his concept paper presentation, District Manager of the project Lutfor Rahman explained that the village court is a semi-formal judicial system for resolving minor disputes at the local level.

The main aim of village courts is to provide rural communities with accessible, affordable, and speedy justice for minor civil and criminal disputes by settling them locally, thereby reducing the burden on formal courts and fostering social peace.

The meeting was informed that 6,166 cases were recorded and 5,965 of the cases were settled during the period from February 2024 to October 2025 and 1,651 women-related cases were also disposed of.
 
Under the project intervention, around Taka 7.64 crore were realized as compensation in addition to recovering 1057 decimal lands.

DC Afia Akhter said the village court works to provide the rural poor, women, and other vulnerable groups with a local and accessible justice system that is often intimidating and costly in formal courts.
 
She also said it's mandated to settle minor disputes quickly, avoiding the lengthy and complex processes of the formal court system.