The High Court Division of the Supreme Court has set a record by disposing of over 58,000 old criminal miscellaneous and writ petitions in just 11 working days through a special initiative. The case backlog and the long wait for justice have long been a reality of Bangladesh's judicial system, but this special drive has brought a remarkable change.
The government is set to enact a comprehensive law soon to recognize enforced disappearance as a distinct criminal offence and to ensure protection, justice, and compensation for victims and their families. The draft Prevention and Remedies for Enforced Disappearance Act, 2026 proposes life imprisonment and fines as the maximum punishment for enforced disappearance. It also provides for the death penalty in cases where the victim dies as a result of the disappearance, the body is recovered, or the missing person remains untraced even after five years.
Twenty murder cases filed over the deaths of 44 police personnel during the violence that accompanied the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and August 2024 have effectively remained dormant for more than a year.
In the history of FIFA, the world's highest governing body for football, there have been few instances of such political pressure, institutional resistance and questions over leadership credibility. The crisis that erupted over the controversial plan to sell a portion of the World Cup's commercial rights or shares to the private sector ultimately did not end with just the withdrawal of a proposal; rather, it has pushed FIFA President Gianni Infantino's political authority, international acceptance and chances of victory in the upcoming election into serious jeopardy.
The resignation of President Mohammad Shahabuddin on July 24 due to health reasons has triggered a significant constitutional process in Bangladesh. Under Article 50(3) of the Constitution, the President submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament). With the resignation taking immediate effect, the office of the President became vacant, and in accordance with Article 54, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed assumed office as Acting President. He will discharge the responsibilities of the presidency until a new President is elected and sworn in.
In Bangladesh, justice often means years of waiting. The same reality exists even at the country’s highest court. The long corridors of the Supreme Court have witnessed countless sighs of litigants, repeated hearing dates, legal fees, and the exhausting journeys of people travelling from districts to the capital. For many, pursuing a case eventually costs more than the amount of money involved in the dispute itself.