Kathmandu: Chief Justice of Nepal, Prakash Man Singh Raut, met with Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, on November 2 in Dhaka for a high-level bilateral discussion at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. The meeting aimed to deepen cooperation between the two countries’ judiciaries while exploring shared legal practices and recent judicial reforms.
The discussions primarily focused on the judicial systems of both nations, including the reforms implemented to improve the efficiency and accessibility of legal services, reads a press statement released by the Nepali Embassy in Dhaka.
Both Chief Justices noted the significant strides made in their respective countries to enhance the speed and transparency of justice delivery, with a shared commitment to meeting the needs of the people in an expeditious manner.
The meeting was attended by a delegation from Nepal, including Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, Justice Binod Sharma, Chief Registrar Bimal Paudel, and Nepal´s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari. All the Justices of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh were also present, underscoring the importance of the occasion.
Following the discussions, Raut and Dr. Ahmed co-presided over a hearing at the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. During the proceedings, Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed emphasized the strong, longstanding relationship between the judiciaries of Nepal and Bangladesh. Chief Justice Raut expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to observe the hearing, reflecting on the close ties and mutual learning between the two countries.
The two Chief Justices participated in a thought-provoking session on “Roadmap, Roadshow Legislative Changes, Judicial Integrity and Partnership Building.” Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed shared insights on the successful judicial reforms in Bangladesh, highlighting recent positive changes across various courts aimed at strengthening judicial integrity and efficiency.
Raut led a session on “Delivering Justice While Managing Crisis,” focusing on the challenges and strategies for maintaining judicial effectiveness during times of national or global crises. Justice Malla also shared insights into structural reforms undertaken by Nepal’s Supreme Court, addressing the ongoing efforts to modernize the judiciary.
Later, a separate session led by Justice Malla and Justice Farah Mahbub of Bangladesh explored key issues such as digitalization, gender justice, court specialization, and judicial independence. The session emphasized the importance of women’s meaningful representation in the judiciary, with Justice Malla underscoring Nepal’s efforts to ensure gender equality within the legal sector.
Justice Mahbub of Bangladesh provided a comprehensive overview of the country’s judicial reform initiatives, particularly the measures aimed at ensuring greater inclusivity and efficiency in the judiciary. The session was attended by a delegation of women justices from the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, reinforcing the commitment to advancing gender justice within both nations’ judicial systems.
The day concluded with a dinner hosted by Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed in honor of Raut and his delegation, further cementing the bonds of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
This meeting highlights the growing partnership between Nepal and Bangladesh in the field of justice, with both nations committed to strengthening their legal systems and ensuring a more just and equitable society for their people.
