Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to ensure that case proceedings are not delayed as many people are still behind bars without knowing their faults, reports the UNB.

‘The delay in case proceedings has to be reduced because there’re many people in jail who don’t know why they are behind bars. They don’t know what their faults are or how to take legal aid services,’ she said.

The Prime Minister issued the directives while addressing the inaugural programme of the National Legal Aid Day 2019 at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital.

She said the government has already taken measures to address the problem and the Law Ministry will take more effective measure to reduce the delay in case proceedings.

The Prime Minister also asked the authorities concerned to ensure justice quickly and stern punishment in case of different social offenses like murder, arson violence, burning the people to death and rape.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq presided over the function, while Law and Justice Division Secretary Abu Saleh Sheikh Md Zahirul Haque and Director of the National Legal Aid Services Organisation Md Aminul Islam also spoke on the occasion.

With the slogan ‘Sheikh Hasina’s contribution in the Sonar Bangladesh of Bangabandhu is to provide the free legal aid services,’ the day is being observed for the seventh time in the country to make the public aware about the government’s free legal services.