National Legal Aid Day Observed in Bogura with Call for Equal Access to Justice

National Legal Aid Day was observed in Bogura on Tuesday with various programs under the theme, “Resolve Disputes at Government Expense, Bangladesh First,” highlighting the importance of ensuring justice for all citizens regardless of financial condition.

The day’s program began at 9:00 AM at the District Judge Court premises, where balloons and doves, symbols of peace, were released to mark the inauguration of the event.

The program was organized by the Bangladesh Legal Aid Services Department under the Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, in collaboration with the Bogura District Legal Aid Committee.

The inaugural ceremony was formally opened by Md. Shahjahan Kabir, Chairman of the District Legal Aid Committee and Senior District and Sessions Judge of Bogura.

Following the inauguration, a colorful rally was brought out from the court premises and paraded through the main roads of the town before returning to the venue. Judges, government officials, members of the district legal aid committee, lawyers, NGO representatives, and conscious citizens took part in the rally with enthusiasm.

Later, a discussion meeting was held at the District Council Auditorium.

Welcoming the guests, District Legal Aid Officer (Senior Civil Judge) Abu Kahar emphasized the significance of legal aid services in ensuring access to justice for underprivileged people.

Speaking at the discussion, Senior District and Sessions Judge Md. Shahjahan Kabir said Article 27 of the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees that all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law.

“Although equal access to justice is a fundamental right, financially insolvent, oppressed, and helpless justice seekers often fail to reach the doors of the court. Many people are deprived of their constitutional rights simply because they cannot afford the legal expenses involved from beginning to end of a case,” he said.

He added that no democratic state can allow citizens to be denied legal protection due to poverty.

He further said that, like many developed countries, Bangladesh has institutionalized legal aid services to provide legal protection and assistance to poor and vulnerable people. The government remains constitutionally committed to ensuring legal support for disadvantaged citizens, and district legal aid committees are working tirelessly to fulfill that commitment.

He also called for greater cooperation from all sectors to make legal aid services more accessible and people-oriented.

Among others who addressed the meeting were Judge of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 Md. Anwarul Kabir, Judge of Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-2 A.S.M. Taskinul Haque, Administrative Tribunal Judge Md. Saiful Islam, Chief Judicial Magistrate Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Commissioner Md. Toufiqur Rahman, Additional Superintendent of Police Asaduzzaman, Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Azizul Hakim, President of District Bar Association Advocate Rezaur Rahman Mintu, and Government Pleader Shafiqul Islam.

It was revealed that the Bogura District Legal Aid Committee provided legal assistance to a total of 1,453 people from January 1, 2025, to April 27, 2026. Among them, 779 were women and 674 were men.

In addition, a total of 1,382 cases and complaints were resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) during the same period.

At the same time, a total of Tk 26,796,100 was recovered and handed over to the affected parties as dower (denmohor), maintenance, and compensation.

Speakers at the discussion meeting said these figures reflect that legal aid services are not limited to courtroom support only, but also play a vital role in ensuring quick, low-cost, and effective dispute resolution for ordinary people.

They added that for poor, helpless, and oppressed citizens, legal aid services have become an important source of justice and protection.