Chattogram observed National Legal Aid Day with due enthusiasm on Sunday, in line with previous years, under the theme “End Disputes at Government Expense, Bangladesh First.”
To mark the occasion, the District Legal Aid Committee organized a colorful rally, a legal aid fair, and a discussion meeting at the District Judge Court premises.
The rally was attended by Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia, senior government officials, members of the judiciary, journalists, beneficiaries, and other distinguished guests.
Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Hasanul Islam attended the discussion as the chief guest. In his address, he highlighted various government initiatives aimed at making legal aid services more effective and accessible at the grassroots level. He noted that steps have been taken to introduce mandatory pre-case mediation in certain cases through legal amendments, although the system has yet to be fully implemented in Chattogram.
He also emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure speedy and effective justice through the expansion of online services and strengthened field-level monitoring.
Referring to public awareness initiatives, he said a simplified helpline number—16699—has been introduced to make legal aid services more accessible. He urged both public and private institutions to prominently display the number on their notice boards and called for collective efforts to make it as widely recognized as the national emergency number 999.
At the event, District Legal Aid Officer Subrata Das presented an overview of legal aid activities carried out in 2025. Several beneficiaries also shared their experiences, highlighting the positive impact of the services.
The meeting was presided over by Muhammad Abdul Halim, Acting District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Aid Committee.
Among others who spoke at the event were Additional Police Commissioner Hossain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate A.G.M. Monirul Hasan Sarkar, Chief Judicial Magistrate Md. Sohag Talukdar, Additional District Magistrate Syed Mahbubul Haque, DC Prosecution Hasanullah Chowdhury, and Bar Association President Abdus Sattar.
Senior officials from various government institutions, beneficiaries, and journalists from both print and electronic media were present at the programme.
During the event, panel lawyers of the District Legal Aid Committee—Advocate Biswajit Chakraborty and Advocate Mashkura Begum Mary—were honored as the Best Panel Lawyers of 2025.
A day-long legal aid fair was also held, where Hamdard Bangladesh distributed free drinks to justice seekers. Various organizations, including Prottashi, BRAC, IPSA, Ghashful, Savak, Bondhu, the District Jail, CMP, the Information Office, District Shishu Academy, the Department of Social Services, Legal Aid, BLAST, Futonto Kishor Sangha, and BBF, set up service stalls showcasing their activities.
FP/MI
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