Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman on Thursday told Parliament that more than 40 lakh cases were pending in the subordinate courts across the country at the end of 2025.

“A total of 40,41,924 cases were pending in the lower courts across the country as of December 31, 2025,” he said, while replying to scripted questions from opposition bench (Jamaat) lawmakers Md. Quamrul Hassan (Mymensingh-6) and Md Nurul Islam (Chapainawabganj-3) in the House.

The Law Minister said the government has undertaken multidimensional measures to ensure speedy and effective disposal of the huge backlog of cases.

He said the government remains committed to alleviating the sufferings of justice-seekers and ensuring quick, transparent and affordable justice.

“Once the measures are implemented gradually, the government is optimistic that the number of pending cases would decline significantly, enabling people to receive timely justice,” he said.

The Law Ministry would also consider public suggestions to reduce the backlog of cases and improve access to justice.

Focusing on the measures taken by the current government, he said the Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has already been passed in Parliament to introduce time-befitting reforms.

The amendments include provisions for issuing summons through SMS and voice calls, submission of plaints and written statements through affidavits, and allowing direct cross-examination. It also allows filing applications directly in the original cases for decree execution instead of filing separate suits.

To ensure faster disposal of criminal cases, he said the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2026 created scope for waiving proclamation and attachment procedures in certain cases involving absconding accused to reduce unnecessary delays. “It also introduces digital methods for serving summons, ensuring greater use of technology in judicial proceedings,”

He further said that under the Information Technology Act, 2020, testimonies of investigating officers, doctors, and magistrates recording confessional statements of accused are being taken online, facilitating quicker trial proceedings.

To reduce the backlog of cases, he said the government has already created 871 courts and also 232 new posts of judges, he said.

The Law Minister said the process is underway to create 304 more judge posts, while recruitment of 150 civil judges is ongoing.

He said the Bangladesh Judicial Service Commission has recommended recruitment of 708 judicial staff, with the process for appointing another 553 staff also in progress.

He said a special committee led by the Solicitor has been formed to accelerate the investigation and trial of high-profile cases, including those related to violence against women and children.

The minister also highlighted efforts to strengthen legal aid services, including increasing the number of judges at district legal aid offices, appointing experienced mediators, and operating a toll-free legal aid hotline (16699).

Md. Asaduzzaman said cause lists of both subordinate and higher courts have been made fully online, allowing people to check hearing dates from home. “This has enhanced transparency and reduced harassment in the trial process,” he said.

Besides, the minister mentioned several other measures taken to reduce the backlog of cases in the lower courts across the country.