Dhaka: Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA), representing lower court judges, has given the government a 48-hour deadline to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of judicial officers nationwide.
The announcement follows the brutal killing of the son of a Rajshahi judge during an attack at their home on Saturday.
In a strongly worded statement, the BJSA demanded immediate deployment of sufficient security personnel at all courts, judges’ residences, and during official travel. The association also called for firm action against police officials whose negligence may have contributed to the Rajshahi tragedy, as well as those who violated legal protocol by presenting the arrested suspect to the media before producing him in court.
The BJSA warned that if the government fails to respond within the stipulated time, judges across the country will launch a nationwide “pen-down” strike starting Sunday. All judicial officers are also expected to wear black badges that day to mourn the victim and protest the worsening security conditions.
According to the association, the judiciary has been left “stunned and speechless” by the incident. It expressed deep condolences and prayed for the deceased, while harshly criticising law enforcement agencies for procedural breaches that could hamper a fair investigation.
BJSA President Md Amirul Islam and Secretary General Muhammad Majharul Islam said judges are outraged by the state’s persistent failure to provide adequate protection, despite repeated instructions from the Supreme Court to safeguard judges, their families, homes, vehicles, and court premises.
They noted that many judges lack official housing or transport, with those stationed in remote areas enduring even greater hardship. Some are compelled to live in unprotected rented houses and travel by rickshaw or on foot.
The leaders said this long-standing neglect has culminated in a tragedy “beyond imagination,” and insisted that the state must take responsibility.
The victim, Tawshif Rahman Sumon, son of Rajshahi Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Abdur Rahman, was fatally stabbed during the attack. The judge’s wife, Tasmin Nahar, remains in critical condition.
