One-Stop Judicial Service' is set to be launched this year across the 64 districts in the country, allowing citizens to file cases, receive services, and seek legal redress in one place. Bangladesh Supreme Court has already prepared a preliminary draft for the initiative and sent it to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, with plans to implement it by July-August.
Bangladesh, known for its six seasons, has traditionally been classified as having a temperate climate—one that lies between the extremes of the tropical and polar zones. The hallmark of this climate is moderate temperatures, with neither severe cold nor intense heat, and regular rainfall. However, for more than two decades, this temperate sensation had all but vanished from Bangladesh. In its place, the country experienced increasingly extreme weather conditions, with harsher winters, scorching summers, and irregular monsoons. Other seasons came and went with little distinction. During summer, parts of the country, especially Rajshahi, would often be swept by hot, desert-like "loo" winds. But this year marks a return of temperate weather to Bangladesh after nearly 20 years, with moderate summer temperatures and rainfall. Climate experts predict a normal monsoon and no severe winter chill ahead.
The Rana Plaza collapse in Savar remains the deadliest industrial disaster in Bangladesh’s history. On April 24, 2013, the eight-story commercial building crumbled, killing 1,136 people and shocking the entire world. Yet, more than a decade later, the murder trial stemming from the tragedy has yet to be completed even at the trial court level. The long judicial process—which still has to go through the High Court and potentially the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court after a trial court verdict—is prolonging the agony for victims and their families.
In a concerning development, numerous journalists have been named alongside Awami League activists in murder cases related to the anti-discrimination movement. Government officials have termed these incidents as "unfortunate" and stated that most of these murder cases against journalists were not filed by the government or police, but rather instigated by certain individuals.
Despite being banned, highly risky three-wheeled vehicles are now dominating almost all highways across the country. The situation has become so commonplace that it no longer appears to be a punishable offense. Due to public indifference, reckless driving, disregard for traffic laws, and police inaction, battery-run auto-rickshaws, three-wheelers, tomtoms, and auto-vans are freely plying the highways. This not only disrupts traffic flow but is also causing frequent fatal accidents.
Bangladesh gained independence in 1971 through the immense sacrifice of many lives.