Court in Thakurgaon where a case settled for just Tk 10
Jane Alam, Thakurgaon
Village courts. Where there are no lawyers, advocates, and judges wearing black gowns. However, there are courts surrounded by red sashes, and docks. But there are no 14-shik guards. So that the people of the villages can easily get a fair trial at a low cost, 'Village Courts' are formed in every union parishad of the country. Although these courts have been functioning well for a few years after their establishment, people are currently turning their backs on them. Due to this, the judiciary is being disrupted by the tangle of cases.
However, the Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila administration believes that if the village courts are properly implemented, the complexity of cases will be reduced. Training on village courts has already begun with the aim of reducing the complexity of cases, chaos and suffering in the courtroom, and ensuring justice by bringing the quality of government services to the doorsteps of the common people.
People are also happy with the services and solutions they receive, and their trust is increasing. The village courts formed in the 22 union parishads of Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila are gradually becoming a symbol of trust for the common people.
At one time, people had a lot of faith in the village court. When any complaint was filed in the village court, both the complainant and the defendant, as well as the Union Parishad Chairman, members and dignitaries present evidence and witnesses in favor of the plaintiff and defendant. They listened to both with deep attention and gave their verdict in a solemn atmosphere before the court.
And both sides would have accepted this unanimous verdict. Because this 'village court' has a strong legal basis. The village court is gradually gaining confidence as a place for the marginalized people living in villages to get legal redress. Minor crimes are being settled in this court at a nominal cost of 10 to 20 taka.
The village court training program began at the Sadar Upazila Parishad hall room on Tuesday (May 20) afternoon. Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Khairul Islam was the chief guest.
It was reported that civil cases are settled within 7 to 90 days for 20 taka and criminal cases for 10 taka. In this training organized by the upazila administration, representatives of Rajagaon, Auliapur, Shukhanpukuri, Gariya, Chilarang, Rahimanpur unions of Sadar were given ideas about the formation of village courts and the speedy settlement of criminal and civil cases.
Due to the backlog of cases in the country's courts and the long duration of the proceedings, many people do not want to resort to the courts to get justice even if they want to. In addition, money is needed to pursue cases, which is not possible for the residents of rural areas of the country. But a different kind of court or judicial system has raised hope for the low-income people of rural areas to get fair justice.
That different type of court is the village court. This court is formed under the Union Parishad to settle small civil and criminal cases in rural areas. This court creates an opportunity for the deprived people of rural areas to get justice in various matters. People of the entire jurisdictional area can file this case in the village court of their Union Parishad by paying two taka for criminal cases and four taka for civil cases. No lawyer is required to get justice in this court. Neither the plaintiff nor the defendant has to face each other. There is no need to suffer the time of getting justice. This court sits in the presence of local UP members and esteemed judges.
Thakurgaon Sadar UNO Khairul Islam said, the number of beneficiaries from the village courts is gradually increasing. The resolution of many minor disputes is now possible through the village courts. Arrangements have been made for training the village courts so that the common people can get justice more easily. The village courts are currently playing a significant role in reducing the pressure of cases.
