Public confidence crisis in the judiciary and judicial accountability in Bangladesh

The Constitution of Bangladesh 1972 provided for an independent judiciary – competent to administer justice pursuant to the rule of law and facilitate good governance. Subsequent constitutional amendments have rendered the judiciary subservient to the Executive. The judiciary and its judges are now at the centre of public debates over their lack of transparency, impartiality and accountability, which has eroded the public’s confidence in them. This article explains the constitutional feature of judicial accountability and its present status in Bangladesh. It shows that the profound lack of judicial accountability has caused a public confidence crisis and traces the factors responsible for this crisis, suggesting measures toward building up public confidence in the judiciary of Bangladesh.