The country's fight against corruption is being quietly undermined not only by graft itself, but by the painfully low rate of case disposal in the country's justice system. As thousands of crime and corruption cases are languishing from years to decades - promisesglimmered against the backdrop of the July Uprising last year to restore accountability, public trust in the justice system yet remains elusive.
Between January and November 2025, theAnti-Corruption Commission (ACC)disposed of just 264 cases out of 3,457 pending-a mere 7.63 percent. Following the fall of the Awami League government, the scrutiny intensified by filing 399 cases against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, her family, ex-ministers, senior bureaucrats, military officers and influential businessmen. Charge sheets have been submitted in 321 cases, including the high-profile Purbachal plot case, which resulted in jail sentences for multiple members of the Sheikh family and associated officials.
The point, however, given such low rate of disposal it is not possible to move forward without a strong political will, that said - this interim period may well be considered as a "lost opportunity" in the nation's fight against graft.Investigations may have been initiated, chargesheets submitted, and headlines briefly made, but without timely verdicts, justice remains incomplete. Such a low disposal rate also sends a damaging signal: That wrongdoing can be delayed into oblivion.
Impacts on ordinary citizens is even more severe. When corruption cases stall, people lose faith in institutions meant to protect them.This cynicism corrodes social values and discourages civic responsibility.Moreover, delayed justice carries economic costs since, corruption cases often involve public funds, bank loans and development projects.
When resolution is slow, stolen or misused money remains unrecovered, affecting public services and economic stability. International confidence also suffers, as investors weigh the risks of operating in an environment where legal accountability is uncertain.
From a broader perspective, Bangladesh's alarmingly low disposal rate is not solely the fault of one institution. Overburdened courts, shortage of judges, procedural inefficiencies and frequent adjournments all have contributed to the dilemma.
However, acknowledging systemic problems must not become an excuse for inaction. Special courts for corruption cases, stricter timelines, better case management, and accountability for unnecessary delays are no longer optional-these are urgent necessities.
An anti-graft drive cannot succeed on intent alone. It must be backed by swift, fair, and visible justice. Without timely disposal of cases, corruption thrives in the shadows of delay, and the rule of law weakens with every postponed hearing.
What we can see right now is that our country is standing at a critical juncture. Strengthening the justice delivery system is not just a legal reform-it is a moral imperative. Justice delayed is not merely justice denied - in the context of corruption, it is justice reversed.
