Evolution of the Criminal Justice System in Bangladesh: Colonial Legacies, Trends, and Issues

Abstract

Bangladesh still uses the British legal system from colonial times, which finally took the place of the Mughal legal system, which was mainly founded on Islamic ideas. The criminal laws of Bangladesh have undergone a number of auxiliary modifications throughout time. In spite of the colonial legal system's adoption being hailed as a significant step toward bringing the nation's then-dominant criminal code in line with common law principles, the author of this essay, which outlines the history of Bangladesh's criminal justice system, argues that it is now essential that significant changes and additions be made to the legal system. Bangladesh's criminal justice system has developed over many centuries and is firmly anchored in the country's colonial heritage. Beginning with the Mughal Empire's codified regulations, the evolution gained significant momentum during the British colonial era, where laws were heavily influenced by the British legal system. Post-independence, Bangladesh sought to carve out its own identity; however, the inherited British legal structures and principles continued to play a dominant role. Over the years, the nation has grappled with various challenges, including political influence, corruption, and a backlog of cases, making legal reforms imperative. This abstract explores the evolution of Bangladesh's criminal justice system, stressing colonial legacy, current developments, and the critical problems it confronts now. The interplay between the historical contexts and modern-day challenges underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding and potential reformulation of the system to serve the Bangladeshi populace better.