HC experiences huge backlog of death reference cases

The High Court has confirmed 11 orders of death sentences delivered by the trial courts in the last one and a half months.

Attorney General (AG) office sources said at least 50 death references for final disposal have been pending in the Appellate Division.

The disposal of death references is being delayed due to delay in preparing the paper-books for hearing the cases, the sources said, adding that the death reference cases of 2003 are now being heard by the High Court division.

According to the sources, 166 death reference cases of 2003, 175 of 2004, 177 of 2005 and 30 of 2006 have been pending in the High Court.

Deputy Attorney General (DAG) for the death references Golam Kibria told the news agency that the law officers of the government hardly linger the hearing on the death reference cases.

"The government has been providing all kinds of support for quick disposal of death references. The cases have been disposed of on the basis of priority. There is no lack of logistic supports in conducting the death reference cases. The cases are being heard immediately after preparation of the paper-books. But the disposal of the cases is taking time due to delay in making the paper-books," he said.

Kibria said 30 per cent of total death references of 2003 have already been disposed of by the High Court.

"Two death reference cases of 2004 have been disposed of by the High Court this year. All the death references before 2003 have been disposed of and we, as law officers, are trying to do it quickly," he said.

There are four division benches in the High Court for the disposal of death references. The benches are comprised of Justice Ali Asgar Khan and Justice Emdadul Huq; Justice Sikder Mokbul Haque and Justice Nirmalendu Dhar; Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Fazlur Rahman; and Justice Khondker Musa Khaled and Justice Emdadul Haque Azad.

All the four benches have been hearing the cases of 2003. The High Court bench of Justice Ali Asgar Khan and Justice Emdadul Huq is also hearing the cases of 2004, court sources said.

Earlier, traditional typewriters were used to prepare the paper-books for death references and it took a lot of time -- six months to one year, sources said.

Considering the situation, the Supreme Court has amended its rule to prepare the books with computers instead of typewriters, they said. The government has also provided necessary computers and manpower. Still, the situation did not improve.

In reply to a question regarding the delay in disposal of death references, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed recently said the government will look into the matter.