History of Criminal Justice System in Bangladesh
The Criminal Justice System refers to the system of State and home Public Agencies that deal with the offense problem. Proper dispensation of Criminal Justice System is no doubt sine qua none for a healthy secured society. The present criminal justice system of Bangladesh owes its origin mainly to 200 years British rule in Indian Sub-Continent; though it has been gradually developed as a continuous historical process through Hindu and Mughal administration. There are at least five periods by passing which our present administration of justice has been developed. In Hindu Period, the King was considered as the King’s Court, Chief Justice Court, and Village Council etc . In Muslim period, the criminal justice system was administered through three consecutive sub-periods that was period of Turkish Muslims (1100A.D-1206), the Sultanate of Delhi (1206A.D.-1526) and the Mughal Empire (1526A.D. - 1857A.D.).The theory of Muslims was based on Quran and their religious book. Somuzat,Diwan-e-Mazalim, Sarde Jehan’s Court, Adalat Nazim Subha, Adalat Qazi-eSubha,Faujder Court etc. The modernization of ancient criminal justice system took place by the interference of the East India Company. The administration of justice was regulated by several Charters and Act. Gradually, Supreme Court and High Court were established.
In the last era of British India there were Courts of Session, Presidency Magistrate, 1st Class, 2nd Class and 3rd Class Magistrate which was established by the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. Bangladesh has adopted this Criminal Justice System. The judicial procedure is regulated by the Code of 1898 and the Act of 1860 has defined the crimes and prescribed the punishment. This system is considered as the staircase of Criminal Justice System of Bangladesh
