Mistrust in Judiciary brings bad days: Chief Justice

The 23rd Chief Justice of the country Hasan Foez Siddique is retiring after a long judicial career. It is scheduled to expire on September 25; But as the Supreme Court was on vacation at that time, Thursday (August 31) was the last working day of the Chief Justice's judicial life. On this day, the Attorney General's Office and the Supreme Court Bar Association gave a farewell reception to the Chief Justice in the number one courtroom of the Appellate Division.

In his farewell speech, Hasan Foez Siddique said, Judiciary is the heart of the Republic. There is no fairer test of excellence than the efficiency of the judiciary of a state. People of a nation may lose faith in governance or judiciary but if they lose faith in judiciary then that nation has to wait for a bad day. Judiciary is responsible for enforcing the absolute supremacy or supremacy of law.

The Chief Justice also said that it is the duty of judges, lawyers and every responsible citizen of the state to protect the judiciary with a strong wall from all kinds of social, economic and political influences through constitutional provisions. Every citizen will have to wait for doomsday if we, you, all fail to fulfill that duty.

He said, if the political division crosses the highway and rushes towards the court, it is not good for the court. We have to remember that the divisions and differences of lawyers and their reactions damage the judiciary. The Judiciary is comfortable with implementing political ideology politically and keeping the judiciary at a safe distance.

The Chief Justice said, I think my successor will face serious challenges and I also think that Almighty Allah will empower him to face those challenges with making the Judiciary system as a more dynamic Judiciary. I feel, I am going to hand over my Judiciary to someone who will be able and focused to make this department more dynamic. I look forward to hearing your future success stories.

He said independence of judiciary is essential for development of true participatory democracy, preservation of rule of law and establishment of rights and social justice of weaker sections of the society. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the administration of justice and rests on the supremacy of the independence of the judiciary. As the bearer and bearer of the great thought and welfare spirit which our Constitution has been framed, we all have the great national responsibility to ensure that all the laws and legal proceedings of the country reflect the constitutional spirit. People want peace and tranquility, but we still have a long way to go for complete peace. We need to straighten the crooked areas.

The Chief Justice said that the framers of the Constitution have established an independent and impartial judiciary - the responsibility of every organ of the state and every citizen to enforce that independence. If he fails to fulfill his duty, the blood of 71' will be in vain. It should be remembered that we got this country and this court in exchange for the united bravery and supreme sacrifice of the people. In 1971, the nation made great sacrifices and gave the gift of an independent country. Our national responsibility is to advance the country in all fields. History will not forgive us if we fail. Every law we have should have a touch of humanity. If the law oppresses the poor and the rich oppress the law, then the state and the judiciary are functioning properly - this cannot be said at all.

He said that a strong and independent judiciary is essential for a strong democratic system. The basis of democracy is the rule of law and the complete independence of the judiciary and the judges freeing themselves from the political winds, the constitution, the law and their own judicial conscience to solve judicial cases. The people must have and have immense confidence in the independence of the judiciary, otherwise the rights of the people of the country will not be protected and the freedom will be endangered. All judges must be of high moral character, otherwise the independence of the judiciary will be bound only by the constitution. Blessed are those who are pure in heart.

The Chief Justice said, Our Constitution is stained with the blood of three million martyrs and is sacredly binding on every citizen-wherein the jurisdiction and powers of various organs of the state, proper enforcement of laws are mentioned. It is the sacred duty of the Supreme Court to adhere to its every letter and give proper interpretation to create such a foundation among all that every citizen loves our country fiercely and values the blood of 71' and works honestly hard to move the country forward and make the wheels of the economy move by doing.

He said, "The public's demand to change the judiciary and their growing sentiments and desire to try to solve the problem worked within me." Maybe I just managed to shake it. My steps will act as a guide to their solution, but a complete solution is not possible overnight. This requires like-mindedness and concerted efforts by the governing powers and the provision of necessary funds and firm commitment and action to de-corrupt society, political institutions and state institutions. I have always thought that I belong to Bengal, Bengal is mine and I am Muslim, I am Bengali and 71' is my motivation. I have tried to reflect people's wishes and aspirations in my work. Tried everything to make the Judiciary orderly and dynamic. Our judiciary is one of the strongest in the world. To make Bangladesh a better place to live in, I have tried my best to motivate my judges to ensure that people get justice at a low cost and in a short time. I have tried to arrange that the unfortunate people seeking justice can come to the court premises and sit in a little relief. I have tried to explain to the judges that Almighty Allah has given the duty of judges to provide judicial services to people. Expressing my gratitude to the Prime Minister for allocating funds for Nyaykunj despite financial crisis in the state. 

The Chief Justice said, I have had an excellent learning experience. Learned from lawyers discussion, reasoning, legal interpretation, case analysis techniques. Tried to listen and understand you, analyze and decide. I am indebted to the bar on every level. The bar is the judge of judges. I've always thought so. I have tried to listen patiently, consider carefully, understand correctly and give just decisions. A politician thinks about the next election, a statesman thinks about the next generation and a judge has to think about doing justice according to the constitution and law. 

He said, "I would say to junior lawyers, be diligent and strong enough to accept challenges but not by sacrificing politeness, be kind but not weak, be brave but not bully the court, be thoughtful but not lazy, humble but not timid, Be proud but not arrogant, humorous but not stupid. Be honest, work hard, one day you will become a great lawyer. Be generous like space where there is no national conflict.

The Chief Justice said, my 43 years of walking here will be a memory from today. I believe in the great power of Almighty Allah Rabbul Alamin, He will protect this holy court, judges, lawyers, all officials and employees of the court and guide them on the right path. I will remember with gratitude for the rest of my life the support provided by the judges, lawyers, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Public Administration, Ministry of Public Works and every officer and employee of the Supreme Court Registry and journalist brothers and sisters. 

It should be noted that on December 31, 2021, President Abdul Hamid appointed Md. Justice Hasan Foez Siddique as the Chief Justice. Abdul Hamid recited the oath. He will turn 67 on September 25. So according to the constitution he will retire on that day. Justice Hasan Foez Siddique was born on September 26, 1956 in Kushtia. After completing his studies, he joined the District Court as a lawyer on August 21, 1981. He started practice as an advocate of the High Court on 4 September 1983 and the Appellate Division on 27 May 1999. Hasan Foez Siddique was Legal Advisor to Ministry of Home Affairs, Khulna City Corporation, Kushtia Municipality, Jalalabad Gas Transmission Company. He was Additional Attorney General of Bangladesh. Justice Hasan Foez Siddique was appointed to the High Court Division on March 25, 2009 and to the Appellate Division on March 31, 2013. Apart from this, he has been serving as the chairman of the Judicial Service Commission since April 30, 2015.