At a time when the country’s courts are overburdened with a huge backlog of cases, the chief judicial magistrate court in Tangail set a record by disposing of 18,848 cases in a single year (2016). This was the highest number of cases disposed of by a court in the past nine years, sources said. They added that 15,354 cases were filed in the CJM court in 2016, and at least 14,189 witnesses had recorded their statements during that time. Court sources said the credit for the record should go to chief judicial magistrate Begum Khaleda Yeasmin.
“The huge number of cases disposed of was due to the leadership and sincere efforts of Begum Yeasmin. She inspired the judicial magistrates and court officials to toil relentlessly, work according to the daily cause lists, regularise the recording of statements by witnesses, and utilise time properly,” a source said. “The CJM has also rewarded the judicial magistrates for their sincere performance,” he added.
On her part, Begum Yeasmin said, “The magistrates and court officials have ensured justice by discharging their duties honestly.” Speaking at a police magistracy meeting, the CJM said more cases will be disposed of during the current year. She also emphasised the need for the necessary number of judges and ‘ejlash’ to maintain the performance. At present, the CJM court in Tangail has one post of chief judicial
magistrate, one post of additional chief judicial magistrate, four posts of senior judicial magistrates and five posts of judicial magistrates.
Out of these, three posts of judicial magistrates were vacant and three others have gone for training for six months. Sources said the court had started its journey with 21,295 cases in 2008. The number of cases had reached 29,895 by 2015. According to court records, 5,053 cases were disposed of in 2008, 4,941 in 2009, 5,450 in 2010, 6,764 in 2011, 5,743 in 2012, 14,724 in 2013, 12,661 in 2014, and 12,843 cases in 2015.