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Overview & Brief History of Meherpur District
Meherpur District, located in the southwestern part of Bangladesh's Khulna Division, is an area rich in historical significance. It bears witness to the early days of our Great Liberation War. On 17 April 1971, during the Liberation War, the Government of Bangladesh in exile took oath in the “Amrakanan” at Baidyanath Tal of Meherpur sub‑division (then part of Kushtia District), establishing a provisional government and declaring the site the temporary capital of the newly proclaimed Republic of Bangladesh.
On 26 February 1984, Meherpur was separated from Kushtia and officially recognized as an independent district.
Among notable historical landmarks in Meherpur are: the Mujibnagar Memorial, Meherpur Shaheed Smriti Soudho, architectural relics in Amdah village, Amjhupi Nilkuthi, Bhatpara Nilkuthi, Kala Chandpur Saha Vali’s Dargah, Municipal Eidgah, Siddheswari Kali Temple, Swami Nigamananda Saraswati Ashram, Bhabananda Temple, and other picturesque heritage structures.
Origin of the Name “Meherpur”
According to historian Kumudnath Mallik, some believe the area was once inhabited by the Mahirs and Kharas, suggesting the name “Mihirpur,” which over time evolved into “Meherpur.” Another view holds that the region was named in honor of the 16th-century Sufi saint Meher Ali Shah.
History of Courts in Meherpur
Initially, Meherpur had only a Munshiff Court, operating from a former Sub‑Registry Office room. At that time, Meherpur was part of the Kushtia District, and all judicial matters were handled from Kushtia.
In 1985, the Meherpur District & Sessions Judge Court was established, with proceedings conducted in the same old Sub‑Registry Office. Later, the government acquired land in an area locally known as "Pagla Bari" and constructed the current three‑story District & Sessions Judge Court building during 1996–1997.
Court Infrastructure
The three‑storey court building houses:
Record Room
Copy Room (Nokolkhanā)
Library
Accounts Office
Ceremonial Court (Serestakhana)
Prayer Room (used by officials, staff, lawyers, and litigants)
There is also ample parking space in the front open area. Though there is a Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Meherpur, no separate building exists. Its proceedings take place on the second and third floors of the District Judge Court building.
Facilities include a conference room and a breastfeeding corner on the second floor, and a rest house called “Nayakunj” for litigants to rest.
District & Sessions Judge Court
The first District & Sessions Judge of Meherpur was Md. Kamal Uddin, who assumed office on 15 June 1989. The current judge in the position is S. M. Nasim Reza.
Presently, Meherpur hosts:
1 District & Sessions Judge Court
2 Additional District & Sessions Judge Courts
2 Joint District & Sessions Judge Courts
1 Senior Assistant Judge Court
1 Assistant Judge Court
The courts are staffed by 6 judges and 58 officers and employees.
Magistrate Courts
On 1 November 2007, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court began functioning in Meherpur. The first Chief Judicial Magistrate was Begum Mahafuza Rahman; the current one is Mohammad Shahjahan Ali.
Currently, the magistrate courts in Meherpur include:
1 Chief Judicial Magistrate Court
1 Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court
2 Senior Judicial Magistrate Courts
2 Judicial Magistrate Courts
These courts operate with 5 judicial officers and 47 administrative staff.
Nari & Shishu Nirjaton Tribunal Court
Meherpur hosts one Women & Children Repression Prevention Tribunal and one Children’s Court, both established in 2018. The presiding judge of the tribunal currently is Md. Tahidul Islam, who also serves as the Sessions Judge.
District Legal Aid Office
There is one Legal Aid Office in Meherpur District, headed by Begum Laboni Sultana Poli (Senior Assistant Judge) as the District Legal Aid Officer. She successfully oversees all legal aid operations.
Every month, joint meetings are held with NGO representatives, panel lawyers, judicial officers, and other stakeholders to discuss successes, challenges, and expansion plans for legal aid services. These meetings are conducted under the supervision of the District Legal Aid Officer.
District Bar Association
The Meherpur District Bar Association is a longstanding institution. The first lawyers’ chamber was inaugurated in 1914. There are now three chambers. Currently, 126 lawyers are registered with the Association. The President is Maruf Ahmad (Bijon), and the Secretary is A.S.M. Syedur Razzak.