Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan on Sunday said he will try his best to ensure a graft-free judiciary for the country.
"I don't want to see politicization of court and the judiciary in anyway. We can attain the goal of justice only through united and merit-based duties being observed by the judges and the lawyers. Only these can keep the dignity of judiciary intact. It is my expectation that this arena of the Supreme Court will be enlightened by mutual tolerance, compassion and love," he said.
Chief Justice Hassan said these while addressing the reception programme organized by the Attorney General's Office and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on the first day of his duty as the chief justice.
Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and SCBA President Md Momtazuddin Fakir spoke on the judicial career of the chief justice and congratulated him.
"I want to say one thing even if it is a bit unpleasant, making any harsh comment randomly regarding the judges and the courts without knowing the facts, doesn't bear any indication of civilization at all. I want to reiterate the comment of former chief justice Habibur Rahman that no judge is above criticism. There is certainly a room for constructive criticism in the civilized world. I think the right of criticizing judgment of any judge is a part of freedom of speech. This freedom of speech, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law, was ensured in the constitution," the chief justice added.
Emphasizing on criticism from the media only after being well informed about something, to protect the image of the sector, the chief justice further said the hands of law is long enough to tackle with someone, no matter whether he is journalist or lawyer, who misuses the freedom.
"A corruption-free judiciary is a matter of pride for the country and the nation. I will try my best to ensure this, following the well-thought path of my colleague judges and the lawyers during my tenure. I want to make a long-term judicial plan to make our judiciary modern and make it easily available for the commoners," he also said.
Justice Obaidul Hassan took oath as 24th chief justice of the country on September 26. Earlier on September 12, the President under Article 95 (1) of the Constitution appointed Supreme Court's Appellate Division judge Obaidul Hassan as the Chief Justice of Bangladesh.