Litigants receiving services through Supreme Court helpline

Thousands of people are receiving legal and court-related services through the Supreme Court helpline, an initiative aimed at making the country's judiciary more people-friendly and accessible.
 
The Supreme Court (SC) administration launched the helpline service for the first time on September 26, 2024, to ensure easier and more efficient services for litigants.

The service is available from Sunday to Thursday, from 10am to 4pm, except on government holidays.

To assist litigants and service seekers, call and WhatsApp services are available at 01316-154216 and 01795-373680, while online services can be accessed through the 103 helpline.
 
Supreme Court Registrar General Mohammad Habibur Rahman Siddiquee told BSS that the helpline service would continue and necessary measures would be taken to ensure that litigants and the public benefit from it.
 
Supreme Court Public Relations Officer (PRO) Md Shafiqul Islam said that from the launch of the service on 26 September 2024, until  30 April this year, a total of 6,912 calls were received from home and abroad seeking legal advice, case-related information and complaint-related assistance. 

Of them, 2,905 calls were received between 1 January and 30 April this year alone.
 
Referring to information provided by the helpline monitoring cell, he said 317 calls were received from across the country seeking legal advice, while 504 calls were made to obtain information about different cases. All the requested information was provided to service seekers immediately.

He further said that since January, 354 calls were received seeking action against officials and employees of different ministries, divisions and departments of the state. However, as those complaints fell outside the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, callers were advised on the appropriate course of action.
 
Over the last four months, the helpline received a total of 58 complaints related to irregularities, negligence of duty, delayed services and misconduct involving the Supreme Court and district courts. 

Among them, 48 complaints were related to delayed legal services, missing documents and demands for speedy disposal of cases. The issues were later resolved, and the responsible officials and employees were held accountable.

In addition, 10 complaints related to irregularities, negligence and misconduct were received. Among them, one complaint was filed against a High Court Division judge, seven against district court judges and two against district court employees. 

Of the seven complaints against district court judges, three were disposed of primarily, while legal action has already been initiated regarding the others.

The Supreme Court PRO also said that 1,672 calls made to the 103 helpline could not be responded to due to the inability to establish communication with the callers.

Meanwhile, similar helpline services have also been introduced separately in all 64 district courts and eight metropolitan session judges' courts across the country.

As a result, litigants nationwide are now receiving various court-related information and services more easily.