With the slogan "End disputes at government expense, Bangladesh comes first," National Legal Aid Day 2026 has been observed in Nilphamari with due dignity and colorful arrangements. Organized by the District Legal Aid Office on Tuesday morning, the significance of the day was highlighted through a rally, a discussion meeting, and the awarding of honors to successful panel lawyers. At the beginning of the program, Barrister Mahmudul Haque, Acting District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Aid Committee, formally inaugurated the event by releasing balloons on the premises of the District and Sessions Judge Court. Following the inauguration, a well-decorated rally paraded through the main roads of the district town and concluded at the Shilpakala Academy Auditorium for a discussion meeting.
Speakers at the meeting stated that the current government has brought legal aid services to the grassroots level to ensure the right to justice for poor and helpless litigants. Those who previously dared not approach the courts due to lack of funds are now receiving legal advice and case management services through experienced lawyers free of cost at the government’s expense. Particularly through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system, long-standing disputes are being settled quickly through mutual mediation, alongside reducing the backlog of cases.
According to the latest statistics from the District Legal Aid Office, a total of 533 ADR cases were filed in Nilphamari over the past year, out of which 515 disputes were successfully resolved. Among these, 343 applications were filed directly, and 190 were referred by the court. Through 195 mediated and 320 filed matters, a total of Taka 1,18,75,900 was recovered for the litigants. Furthermore, direct legal advice was provided to 405 individuals (181 women and 224 men), and 196 lawyers were appointed to conduct cases. Presided over by Barrister Mahmudul Haque, the meeting was addressed by Senior District and Sessions Judge Ziauddin Mahmud, District and Sessions Judge Arifa Yasmin Mukta, Chief Judicial Magistrate Enamul Haque Bosunia, and District Commissioner Mohammad Nayiruzzaman. Additionally, Superintendent of Police Sheikh Zahidul Islam, District Council Administrator Advocate Mizanur Rahman Shamim, and General Secretary of the District Bar Association and PP Advocate Al Masud Chowdhury highly praised the legal aid activities.
The program began with a welcome speech by Legal Aid Officer Rabiul Islam, where beneficiaries Ruhul Amin and Shahinur Akter shared their experiences. They described how they received solutions to their legal problems from the District Legal Aid Office without any cost. During the ceremony, the guests presented honorary awards to Advocate Anwar Hossain and Advocate Anjuman Ara Iti in recognition of their special contributions as panel lawyers. It is noteworthy that the National Legal Aid Services Organization is the only reliable sanctuary for the underprivileged and financially insolvent people of society to obtain justice. It is a state service where the government bears all the expenses of conducting a case. Disputes such as family violence, dowry prevention, general land disputes, and recovery of dower money are resolved with great importance through Legal Aid. Through this service, the legal rights of common people are being established alongside maintaining peace and order in society.
