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However, among them, three are on leave and five have been kept away from judicial functions since October 16 last year following student-led protests on the SC premises, demanding removal of “pro-Awami League fascist judges”, said SC sources.

“The huge backlog of cases in the Appellate and HC Divisions makes it very tough to get dates for hearing even for urgent cases,” said SC lawyer Saqeb Mahbub.

“While recruitment of judges is an inevitable solution to the problem, its impact will be visible in the long term. The sufferings are likely to continue in the short term,” he said, adding that the newly appointed HC judges are yet to preside over benches.

The Judiciary Reform Commission has suggested raising the number of lower court judges to at least 6,000 from around 2,000 to bring the backlog of cases to a manageable level.

When contacted, Md Muajjem Hussain, spokesperson for the SC, said steps have been taken to address the shortage of judges at courts.

More judges will soon be appointed to lower courts through Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission (BJSC).

Besides, the chief justice has formed 13 monitoring committees comprising HC judges to keep the backlog of cases at a manageable level, he said.

Requesting anonymity, a law ministry official said the process of appointing around 100 lower court judges is at the final stage.

This correspondent called Law Adviser Asif Nazrul on his mobile phone several times and also sent a message but received no response.

THE WAY FORWARD

SC lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir, who leads Law Lab, said, “At least 1,000 judges should be appointed within the next few months both in higher and lower courts.

“The judiciary needs efficient judges who can dispose of cases quickly,” he added.

Saqeb Mahbub suggested the introduction of a centralised management system that prioritises cases based on urgency and enforces strict time limits for hearings.

The cases deemed “non-urgent” may be put on the backburner, he added.