* Limited time prayers * Digitised summons * No separate execution suit
The government has initiated the process of implementing the key recommendations of the Judicial Reform Commission, including amendments to the century-old Civil Procedure Code, in a bid to modernise the judiciary, expedite civil case disposal, and curb procedural abuse.
Environment, forest, and climate change affairs adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, also the coordinator of all the reform commissions, announced the move at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Thursday.
鈥榃e have, in principle, approved several amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure, as recommended by the Judicial Reform Commission, to save time, reduce litigation costs, and address the backlog of cases,鈥� she said.
Among the major proposed changes, the government plans to introduce digital means鈥攕uch as mobile phone text messages and other modern devices鈥攆or serving court summons, streamlining the communication process and eliminating delays.
Rizwana Hasan noted that the country鈥檚 judicial system still followed outdated procedures. 鈥楾hese reforms are essential to bring our judiciary in line with contemporary needs,鈥� she said.
The proposed amendment also increases the penalty for filing false cases or cases for harassment鈥攆rom Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000.
One of the key reforms under consideration will remove the requirement for a separate execution case following a civil verdict.
鈥業f the amendment is passed, execution orders will be included in the original verdict itself,鈥� Rizwana explained.
The amendments will also introduce limitations on how many adjournments parties can seek during proceedings鈥攁n effort to curb unnecessary delays.
Besides, the courts will be required to specify the number of cases scheduled for full or partial hearings each day, aiming to improve case management and judicial efficiency.
The JRC, formed to suggest institutional reforms for a more efficient judiciary, submitted its recommendations to chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in January.
The interim government鈥檚 move marks the first significant step toward implementing those long-pending proposals.
Besides the amendment to CPC, Rizwana said, the interim government also approved in principle a series of draft ordinances aimed at reforming key financial and institutional sectors, including banking, revenue policy, and auditing standards.
The approved drafts include the Bank Resolution Ordinance, Grameen Bank (Amendment) Ordinance, Government Accounts and Audit Ordinance, and the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinances, Rizwana said after a meeting of the advisory council.
Addressing about the proposed Bank Resolution Ordinance, she said, 鈥楢n industrial group has siphoned off a large amount of money by establishing exclusive control over a number of banks. This ordinance is intended to restore discipline and accountability in the banking and corporate sectors and to safeguard depositors鈥� interests.鈥�
Rizwana further noted that the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management ordinances are based on the recommendations of the Public Administration Reforms Commission and are designed to separate policy formulation from revenue management functions to enhance transparency and efficiency.
On the Government Accounts and Audit Ordinance, she said that the aim was to align Bangladesh鈥檚 audit mechanisms with international standards. 鈥楾his will help ensure proper use of public funds and enhance the credibility of government financial reporting,鈥� she added.
During the advisory council鈥檚 deliberations on the ordinances, a decision was also taken to form a committee to identify and prosecute individuals and entities involved in financial crimes.
In a separate development, Rizwana announced that Bangladesh had decided to ratify the United Nations Water Convention of 1992鈥攖he Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes鈥攎arking a significant step in the country鈥檚 commitment to international water cooperation and environmental governance.
