News Flash
RAJSHAHI, April 28, 2026 (BSS) - Speakers at a discussion have called for further strengthening legal aid activities to ensure justice for insolvent people at government expense.
The discussion meeting was held in the city today on the occasion of National Legal Aid Day.
To mark the day, various day-long programmes were organised by the Rajshahi District Legal Aid Committee and different government and non-government organisations.
The programme began this morning with a rally under the theme "Disputes resolved at government expense, Bangladesh first."
The rally started from the District and Sessions Judge Court premises, circled the DC Office intersection, and ended at the court premises.
Judges, lawyers, government law officers, panel lawyers, beneficiaries and people from different professions participated.
After the rally, the District Legal Aid Committee held a discussion with Senior District and Sessions Judge A.H.M. Mahmudur Rahman in the chair.
At the meeting, Divisional Commissioner Dr A. N. M. Bazlur Rashid said concerned authorities must play a responsible role in maintaining public trust in the justice system.
He stressed the need to further strengthen legal aid activities, especially for protecting the rights of children and vulnerable groups. He also said such initiatives play an important role in maintaining peace and order in society.
Rajshahi Range Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohammad Shahjahan and Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam also spoke on the occasion.
District Legal Aid Officer Shariful Islam Khan highlighted the progress of government legal aid activities in the district.
He said in 2025, 701 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) applications were received, of which 621 were resolved. Through these ADRs, Tk 1,11,86,116 was recovered and distributed among justice seekers. During the same period, legal advice was provided to 1,919 people. Of 1,035 cases received, 354 were resolved.
From January 1 to April 26 this year, 194 ADR applications were received and 242 were resolved. During this period, Tk 45,23,651 was recovered and distributed among justice seekers. In addition, 317 people received legal advice, while 129 of 235 cases were resolved.
Senior District and Sessions Judge A.H.M. Mahmudur Rahman said the government has established legal aid offices in every district and appointed necessary manpower to ensure legal support for the poor.
He said ADR based on compromise and settlement is playing an effective role in reducing case backlogs and called for further expansion of the programme with cooperation from all concerned.
At the event, Advocate Nilima Biswas and Advocate Adib Imam Dalim were awarded crests as the best panel lawyers of the year.
