I'll work with judges, lawyers, journos: CJ

Newly appointed Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan today said he will work with judges, lawyers and journalists to eradicate corruption and make the judiciary more robust.

"Corruption is like cancer. There is corruption to some extent in every sector. It cannot be even said that there is no corruption or irregularities on the court premises. I learnt from newspapers that a High Court order had been falsified by forging the signatures of two judges of a High Court bench. A lawyer's assistant and a police constable were found involved and they were punished. There is zero scope for compromise with any corruption or misdeeds," he told The Daily Star over the phone.

"Reducing the backlog of cases at courts across the country, and continuing the work and efforts of my predecessors are my main challenges. I will solicit opinions from all judges of the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the Supreme Court, lawyers, and media persons and will share views with them in order to reduce the backlog of cases … and ensure justice for all," Justice Obaidul Hassan said.

He said the backlog of cases would be reduced, corruption would be eradicated, and people's faith in the judiciary would be deepened if all concerned work sincerely and perform their duties properly.

The new chief justice said he would talk to the media for the interest of the judiciary and for the development of the judicial system.

"The media is the mirror of the society. I need to talk to media persons on different issues," he said.

Earlier in the day, Justice Obaidul Hassan told reporters at his SC office that lawyers with political affiliations must be more patient.

"I don't think that the judiciary is being used politically. The judges are doing their duties. I want to tell my lawyer friends who are involved in politics to be patient at the court premises and respectful of each other. And if it is done, the heat of politics will not touch the judiciary."

He said the alternative dispute resolution and mediation system should be used and some laws should be updated so that more cases could be disposed of and the backlog of cases could be reduced.

"I will not say that there is no lack of faith in the judiciary. But it has not come to this due only to the judges. There are some other factors," Justice Obaidul Hassan said.