On 7 November 2000, Md. Shipon was arrested in connection with a murder case filed on 25 October 1994 in Bangladesh. What followed was more than sixteen years of imprisonment without a completed trial. Only two of the twelve prosecution witnesses had been examined by that time. Shipon’s case eventually came to the attention of the High Court Division, which took a suo motu notice of the matter in November 2016, granted him bail, and directed the concerned tribunal to complete the trial within 60 working days. The Court also directed the authorities to provide him with the necessary legal and rehabilitation support. As per reports from multiple media outlets, including the Daily Star, he was finally acquitted on 3 May 2017.
Shipon’s experience is a painful reminder that justice delayed can become justice denied in the country. Spending years in prison without a final decision not only affects a person’s freedom; it also takes away his/her dignity, security, and hope. But his story raises an important question: if the law already sets the time limits for criminal investigations and trials, why do people still have to wait so long for justice? Delays in criminal cases, which can seriously affect the rights of accused persons, victims, and their families, are more than just a problem for the courts in Bangladesh.
The latest figures of pending cases presented before Parliament clearly show how serious the situation has become in Bangladesh. On 7 July 2026, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman informed Parliament that 46,39,476 cases were pending across the country’s judiciary as of 31 March 2026, and among them, 28,26,213 were criminal cases. The lower courts alone had 23,87,989 pending criminal cases. Such a huge number of pending cases shows the heavy pressure on the courts and the need for effective steps to reduce the backlog.
Pending cases take more than ten years on average in the country to be resolved. This was reflected in a study conducted by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). The study examined 238 murder cases in which verdicts were delivered during 2015–2016. It found that these cases took nearly eleven years on average to reach a final decision. Such long delays create suffering not only for accused persons but also for victims and their families, who continue waiting for justice.
Although the law provides specific deadlines for completing investigations and trials, the years-long pending cases in the country show the gap between the legal promise of speedy justice and its actual implementation. The Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, already contains provisions to prevent unnecessary delays in criminal trials. Section 339C sets specific time limits for completing trials. A Magistrate is required to finish a trial within 180 days from the date the case is received for trial. For a Court of Sessions, the time limit is 360 days. These deadlines are intended to prevent criminal cases from continuing without an end.
Section 339C(4) of the same Code of Criminal Procedure also provides a safeguard for an accused person when a trial is not completed within the prescribed time. In cases involving non-bailable offences, the accused may be released on bail unless the court records special reasons for refusing bail. However, this does not mean that the accused will automatically get bail or that the case will come to an end. The provision must be properly applied by the courts to serve its purpose.
The problem often starts even before a trial begins. A criminal case can face long delays because of slow investigations, incomplete or poorly conducted investigations, and the late submission of police reports. To address slow investigations, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2026 introduced section 173B, which sets a time limit of 60 working days for completing an investigation. A Magistrate may extend this period when necessary. If the investigation is still not completed within the time limit, the Magistrate can take steps such as assigning another officer to the investigation or addressing the responsible officer’s failure to perform his/her duties. This is an important legal change, but it will only work if the authorities properly monitor investigations and ensure accountability.
There are several other reasons why criminal cases continue to take so long. Many witnesses do not appear before the court, delaying the trial. Courts also face shortages of judges, staff, and necessary facilities. Repeated adjournments, poor coordination between police and prosecutors, and a lack of proper forensic support make the situation worse in the country. Section 344 allows courts to postpone or adjourn proceedings when necessary. However, this power should not be used in a way that causes unnecessary delays.
The right to a speedy trial is protected by the Constitution of Bangladesh. Article 35(3) guarantees every person accused of a criminal offence has the right to a speedy and public trial by an independent and impartial court or tribunal established by law. A fair justice system must protect the rights of everyone, not just punish those found guilty. Shipon’s experience is a reminder that keeping a person in prison for years without completing a trial can itself become a form of punishment. Justice should not only be fair, but it should also be timely. After all, people should not have to spend years waiting for a decision that the law promises to deliver within a reasonable time.
But solving the problem of delays requires more than simply setting deadlines in the law. Courts should introduce stronger digital systems to monitor pending cases and identify cases that have crossed their legal time limits. Unnecessary adjournments should be reduced, and courts should record clear reasons whenever a hearing is postponed. Police and prosecution offices should work together more effectively so that investigations, reports and witness appearances are not delayed.
But more judges, trained court staff, and better forensic facilities are necessary in the country. These will help reduce delays in trials and facilitate much-needed timely justice for many in Bangladesh. In addition, the cases involving people who have already spent long periods in pre-trial detention should receive special attention, along with proper legal aid and the consideration of bail.
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