Public interest litigation helps protect human rights of the disadvantaged: Chief justice

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain on Saturday said public interest litigation (PIL) is helpful in protecting the human rights of disadvantaged people. 

"PIL as a domestic model helps improve our judiciary in the human rights justice system," he added.

The chief justice said this while addressing a seminar styled "Standing in Public Interest Litigation: An Outline".

"The Supreme Court of Bangladesh started the process to widen the judicial jurisdiction in the public interest litigation in 1996 with the Dr Mohiuddin Farooque vs Bangladesh case," he said recalling PIL's history in Bangladesh.

"Public interest litigation is a viable tool for resolving public wrongs, public interest wounds, and constitutional disputes," the chief justice added.

"This method is highly praised. The public attraction, however, must not affect judges and should not be personally exaggerated. In this case, the sanctity and credibility of the judicial process must be preserved," he further said. 

The chief justice concluded his speech saying that the authority of the judiciary must be exercised according to the law of the land and justice should be ensured for the welfare of the people.

The seminar was arranged by Supreme Court Online Bulletin (SCOB) at the Supreme Court auditorium.

The editor of the bulletin, Justice Mainul Islam Chowdhury presented the keynote paper at the seminar.