Courts, judges still lack adequate security, says law secretary

Law and Justice Division Secretary Liaquet Ali Molla has said adequate security has yet to be ensured for courts and judges, urging the government to strengthen protection for members of the judiciary.

He called on the government to provide additional district judges with vehicles and round-the-clock armed security personnel.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a memorial meeting and milad mahfil held today (15 November) at the Shaheed Sohel Ahmed and Jagannath Pandey Auditorium of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court.

The programme, organised by the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association, commemorated the two judges killed in a bomb attack by Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) in Jhalakathi on 14 November 2005.

Speakers recalled the contributions and memories of Shaheed Sohel Ahmed and Jagannath Pandey and stressed the need to ensure adequate security at court premises.

Among those who spoke were Dhaka Senior District and Sessions Judge Md Rafiqul Islam, Metropolitan Sessions Judge Shahjahan Kabir, Law and Justice Division Joint Secretary Abdul Awal, Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-4 Judge Munsi Moshier Rahman and Muntasir Ahmed.

Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman referred to the recent bomb attack in the CMM Court area, highlighting security concerns surrounding court premises.

Joint Secretary Abdul Awal, who witnessed the 2005 attack, recalled the incident and expressed sympathy for the families of the slain judges. He also called on the state to play its due role in ensuring judicial security.

At the event, the association handed over donation cheques to the families of the two judges.