Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that after the end of what he described as one and a half decades of fascist rule and exploitation, an accountable and democratic government has been established in the country through direct votes of the people.

“The people have regained their lost democratic rights,” he said while inaugurating the e-bail bond system in seven new districts, including Bogura, at the District and Sessions Judge Court premises.

On the same occasion, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed building of the Bogura District Bar Association.

Tarique Rahman, who is also the Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, said it is now necessary to ensure that no autocratic force can again take away people’s rights and establish authoritarian rule in the country.

“With that objective, the present government has taken steps to strengthen constitutional institutions,” he added.

He said coordination among the legislative, executive and judiciary is essential to ensure the full benefits of democratic rights for citizens.

Highlighting justice as a key pillar of a modern state, he said it ensures social balance, equality and protection of rights, and forms an important basis of morality and rule of law.

Referring to Ziaur Rahman, he said the country’s independence and the early steps toward judicial independence were initiated during his leadership, which were later undermined.

He claimed that during the previous authoritarian period, the judiciary was turned into a partisan institution, and justice was not properly ensured despite rule being carried out in the name of law.

The Prime Minister said that after August 2024, the people were freed from what he called a dark period, and the current government is committed to ensuring justice and strengthening public trust in the judiciary.

He said the introduction of the ‘e-bail bond’ system is aimed at reducing harassment in the judicial process by digitizing bail-related procedures and making them faster, transparent and corruption-free.

Under the system, bail documents will now be processed and delivered online within a short time, replacing the earlier lengthy process involving multiple steps and offices.

He said the system has been introduced in Bogura, Jhenaidah, Jashore, Magura, Rajshahi, Natore and Kushtia districts, and will gradually be expanded nationwide.

According to him, the initiative will reduce delays, prevent forgery, and ensure quicker release of individuals after bail orders are issued, as judges will directly send orders online to prison authorities.

The government also plans to connect the system with police case databases, court management systems and national identity verification to further modernize the judiciary.

Tarique Rahman said the government is also working to bring all judicial processes under a fully digital system, including online processing of warrants, release orders and related documents.

He stressed that access to justice is not a privilege but a constitutional right of every citizen, and said the initiative is a major step toward ensuring that right.

He urged lawyers and bar association members to embrace the new technology and play an active role in ensuring faster and more efficient services for litigants.