Judges should declare assets: Bangladesh chief justice

DHAKA - Bangladesh’s new chief justice, Mohammad Fazlul Karim, has said all judges should declare their assets in the interests of transparency.

“I think everyone should disclose their assets to ensure their transparency as superior judges (of the Supreme Court),” Justice Fazlul Karim said Sunday after being felicitated as chief justice.

“I can take an initiative to this effect if the government or concerned authority makes any move for submission of wealth statements,” said the judge, who recently assumed the highest judicial post, after being superseded twice in the past.

He has also argued that present salaries of judges were not adequate and they should be raised.

In reply to a query on the competence of the judges, the chief justice said that they worked amidst various problems.

“The judges’ salaries are not sufficient and appropriate for such a dignified post,” he pointed out, adding that he had sent a proposal to the government for pay hike.