Higher writ disposal eases High Court case backlog

The disposal of writ petitions at the High Court Division has increased significantly this year compared to the number of new writ cases filed, helping reduce the pressure of pending cases.

Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal said judicial discipline and an end to writ petitions filed over personal interests or individual disputes could further reduce the pressure of cases.

"Since assuming office, the incumbent Chief Justice has been trying to bring discipline to the courts. If judicial discipline can be ensured, the number of writ cases will come down. In my view, when there is discipline in the courts, people ultimately get justice," he told BSS.

According to the data provided by Supreme Court spokesperson Md Shafikul Islam, at the beginning of 2026, the number of pending writ cases in the High Court stood at 127,960. During the first three months of the year, from January to 31 March, a total of 4,112 new writ cases were filed, while 2,213 writ cases were disposed of during the period.

"From April 1 to 30 June, a total of 4,729 new writ cases were filed with the High Court. However, 9,590 writ cases were disposed of during the three-month period. This means the rate of disposal was more than twice the number of new writ cases filed during the period. By the end of June, the number of writ cases pending with the High Court stood at 124, 999," Shafikul added.

Regarding the more than one lakh writ cases pending with the High Court, Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal said that in many cases, writ petitions are filed in personal interests in the name of public interest litigation (PIL). He said the main purpose of such petitions is often self-publicity.

"Many people go before the media immediately after filing a writ petition, which is undesirable," he said.

The Attorney General said, I am noticing another trend where writ petitions are being filed over personal disputes. For example, writ petitions are being filed directly with the High Court over land grabbing, land boundaries and disputes concerning bills and baors. But a writ petition cannot be directly filed with the High Court over a private dispute.

"The law requires an individual to approach the lower court and seek remedy by filing a case there. However, many people are bypassing the established procedure and bringing such cases directly to the High Court. As a result, the number of writ cases in the High Court is increasing," he added.

Under Article 102 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, there are five types of writ petitions that can be filed with the High Court. These are:

Writ of Habeas Corpus: This writ can be filed when a person is detained without lawful grounds. In such cases, the High Court may order that the person who has been unlawfully detained or arrested be produced before it.

Writ of Mandamus: If a government official or institution fails to perform a duty that it is legally required to perform, the High Court may direct the concerned authority to carry out that duty.

Writ of Certiorari: If a judicial court or tribunal passes an order unlawfully, the High Court may quash the order.

Writ of Prohibition: If a judicial court or tribunal begins proceedings in a matter beyond its legal jurisdiction, the High Court may direct it to stop the proceedings.

Writ of Quo Warranto: If a person holds a public office without having the legal qualifications to do so, the High Court may examine the legality of that person's holding of the office through this writ.