Bangladesh Judiciary separation from Nov,1: Chief Justice

Dhaka, Oct 18 (UNI) In what can be described as a significant leap towards democracy, Bangladesh would start the process of separating judiciary from the executive from November 1.

Even as the Supreme Court continued its efforts to separate the judiciary from the administration, the task could be accomplished because of the congenial atmosphere prevailing in the country, Chief Justice Ruhul Amin said yesterday.

Appreciating the role of the present caretaker government in demarcating a clear role for the judiciary, the Mr Amin said it would not be possible for the Supreme Court alone to achieve the task, if all relevant quarters, including the government, did not provide necessary supports in this regard.

''The institutional shape of the independent judiciary could be given in 2007 and the process should be continued to make it successful,'' Daily Star quoted him as saying.

Law Adviser Mainul Hosein said the present caretaker government is trying to establish an independent judiciary in the country and working whole-heartedly to make democracy sustainable.

''The present government is fully aware of the role that the judiciary should play in the country's forward march towards democracy,'' Mr H said, adding that the lifeline of democracy is the rule of law, not the rule of corrupt ones.

Referring to bitter experiences of undue political interference in the judiciary that had weakened the independence of the judicial system and the process of disposal of fair judgment, the adviser said the whole democratic structure fell apart because of such practices and the need for taking an army backing became imperative to save the country from the danger of an imminent civil war.

UNI