Mazharul Islam Chapal Bureau Chief: National Legal Aid Day 2024 was celebrated in Rajshahi with the melodious sounds of the parade and charming arrangements.
On Sunday (April 28) at 9 am, the Rajshahi court premises were filled with various arrangements since morning to mark the day. At the beginning, the Rajshahi court's Senior District and Sessions Judge Mr. Sheikh Mofizur Rahman inaugurated the day by flying pigeons and festoons, symbols of peace. After the inauguration, he participated in the rally. The rally left the District and Sessions Judge premises and returned to the court premises via the Bhendipara (DIG Range Office) intersection in the city.
After the rally, he visited the voluntary blood donation program and legal aid fair and inaugurated the stalls by cutting the ribbon. During this, the stall organizers highlighted various initiatives on legal aid and how legal aid can be reached to marginalized groups.
The discussion meeting started at 10 am. The discussion meeting was moderated by Senior Judicial Magistrate Maruf Allam and District Joint Judge Luna Ferdous, and chaired by District Legal Aid Committee Chairman, District and Sessions Judge Sheikh Mofizur Rahman. The welcome address was delivered by learned Chief Judicial Magistrate Iqbal Bahar, learned Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Shah Md. Zakir Hossain, and Additional DIG of Police Md. Saiful Islam.
In addition, the learned Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mr. Al Asad Md. Asifuzzaman attracted everyone with his important and smart speech. Also present were learned judges of various tribunals (district and sessions judges), additional divisional commissioners and other judges, President of the District Bar Association Adv. Md. Ibrahim Hossain, general secretary and members, panel lawyers, legal aid clients, members of the Legal Aid Committee, Court Police, District Police, Metropolitan Police, various non-governmental voluntary organizations BLAST, National Women's Bar Association, BRAC, Sachate, Aid Comilla, ACD, OLAR, Parivartan, Diner Alo Hijra Sangha, Angorasar Samaj Unnayan Sangstha and all other levels of the public. A discussion was held on the significance of the day and crests were given to the best panel lawyers.
At the beginning of the discussion meeting, District Legal Aid Officer and learned Senior Assistant Judge Ariful Islam gave a valuable speech about the significance of Legal Aid Day and legal aid activities.
In the closing remarks of the president, the Chairman of the District Legal Aid Committee, Honorable Senior District and Sessions Judge Mr. Sheikh Mofizur Rahman, highlighted the role of the current government in the issue of government legal aid.
He said, “Smart Legal Aid is a Smart Country, Bangabandhu’s Bangladesh”. The Legal Aid Act 2000 was enacted to facilitate the path of justice for those who are unable to get justice or are deprived of justice due to financial hardship and other reasons. It is a groundbreaking and people-friendly law. As part of the current government’s commitment to the poor people, the government has established legal aid offices in all districts. In order to make it easier for the poor people to get legal aid, the government has created the posts of Legal Aid Officer, Office Assistant cum Computer Typist, Bench Assistant and Peon. He said that everyone’s participation in legal aid activities is important and called on everyone to help the poor people get their legal rights. He highlighted the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) through conciliation to resolve the ongoing litigation.
He said that Rajshahi District Legal Aid Office has provided assistance in 14,982 cases till April 2024, out of which 11,651 cases have been settled, 3,331 cases are ongoing. From 2017 to April 2024, 3,035 people have received legal advice. From 2016 to April 2024, 1,648 people have applied for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Out of which 1,529 have been settled, 119 are ongoing and 1,84,03,811/- (One crore eighty-four lakh three thousand eight hundred and eleven) taka has been collected through ADR. Legal aid activities need to be made more dynamic. I believe that legal aid will reach remote rural areas from Rajshahi city very soon.
Later, he presented the crest to the best panel lawyer of 2023. This year, the best panel lawyer was selected as Ed. Neelima Biswas. Finally, he expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone and declared the event over.
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