United News of Bangladesh

The Appellate Division on Tuesday (11th November 2025) fixed November 20 for delivering its judgment on two review petitions concerning the reinstatement of a non-partisan caretaker government system during elections. The seven-member bench of the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, announced the date after hearing the two petitions. Earlier, on August 27, the Appellate Division allowed the filing of an appeal against the verdict that abolished the caretaker government system. The hearing of the appeal to restore the caretaker government system began on October 21. The caretaker system was introduced into the Constitution through the 13th Amendment in 1996. Later, three lawyers, including Advocate M Salim Ullah, filed a writ petition challenging the amendment in 1998. Read more: No scope for holding next national election under caretaker govt: Shishir Manir In 2005, the petitioner filed an appeal. Acting on that appeal, a full bench of the Appellate Division, by a majority opinion, delivered a verdict on May 10, 2011, declaring the 13th Amendment null and void. Following the verdict, the 15th Amendment Act, which abolished the caretaker government system along with several other changes, was passed in Parliament on June 30, 2011, with the gazette notification published on July 3 that year. After the change of government, five prominent individuals, including Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SUJAN) Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, filed an appeal on August 5 last year seeking a review of the verdict. The other petitioners were Tofail Ahmed, M Hafizuddin Khan, Zobairul Haq Bhuiyan and Zahra Rahman. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir filed a review petition on October 16, followed by another from Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Prof Mia Golam Parwar on October 23. Read more: BNP sought impartial role, not caretaker govt: Law Adviser

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has said their judicial reform roadmap initiated the transformation of the judiciary as a foundational pillar for other reform efforts. “The profound dialogue and reflection on how inclusive dialogue and transitional justice mechanisms can strengthen national unity and democracy will help us in designing reform processes in Bangladesh,” he said. Two high-level delegations from Bangladesh, led by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed and Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, completed a learning programme in South Africa (May 17–24 May), focused on justice, reconciliation and healing. The exchange, co-facilitated by UNDP and the Commonwealth Secretariat, explored South Africa’s post-apartheid experience in truth-seeking, prosecutions and memorialisation. "Our engagement with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission members, civil society, and victims' families in South Africa reaffirmed that establishing the facts is the foundation for accountability, justice and national healing,” Adviser Asif Nazrul said. UNHCR reports voluntary return of Rohingyas The visit concluded with further engagements in Pretoria and Cape Town, according to UNDP. This initiative is part of UNDP’s broader support to Bangladesh’s judiciary, promoting justice, accountability and inclusive governance. The programme included meetings with victims’ groups, justice and human rights institutions, civil society, and former Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) members. It reflected Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening social cohesion and democratic reforms following a political transition. At the Constitutional Court, South Africa’s Chief Justice Mandisa Maya praised Bangladesh’s recent efforts to uphold human rights and strengthen the rule of law. At the Human Rights Commission, discussions focused on institutional reforms to prevent the recurrence of serious crimes. UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller said with its broad global expertise and network UNDP is uniquely placed to promote South-South exchanges and facilitate contextually relevant knowledge-sharing that helps countries like Bangladesh advance justice and governance reforms. “Learning from lived experiences, reflections amongst peers and listening to victims’ unaddressed grievances was invaluable.”

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed on Friday said that in the light of recent student-public uprising, a rare and golden opportunity has come to guide Bangladesh towards peace and prosperity by learning from historical mistakes and reshaping the country. “To utilise this opportunity, collective effort is required. If the hopes and aspirations of the masses that have arisen in the new Bangladesh are not realised, we as a nation will fall behind,” he said while speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day ‘14th Biennial International History Conference and General Meeting’ of the ‘Bangladesh Itihas Parishad’ at Dhaka University. He said that since taking office, he has already announced a roadmap for judicial reforms to restore public trust in the judiciary and that efforts are underway to implement it with the goal of establishing justice and restructuring the judicial system. Litigants and stakeholders have already started experiencing the benefits of the reform initiative, he noted. The Chief Justice added that an ordinance has been enacted for appointing judges to the high court, and appointments to the Appellate Division have been made transparently in accordance with its provisions through the Supreme Judicial Appointment Council. Highlighting the importance of history, he said, “A nation’s past consciousness, achievements, and sacrifices are all recorded in history. It is both our guide and source of inspiration for the future.” He also stressed that history is not confined to books but is preserved in museums, documents, artifacts, architecture, and memorials, and that all citizens—not just historians—have a role to play in safeguarding it. Govt to seek UN cooperation to assess media, journalists' role over past 16 years: Press Secretary The conference was inaugurated by Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed Khan, while Prof Mohammad Ibrahim, president of the Bangladesh Itihas Parishad, presided over the session. Prof Dr Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan, dean of the Faculty of Arts, attended as a special guest. Prof Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque, president of Bangla Academy, presented the keynote paper, and Prof Dr Abdul Bashir, General Secretary of the Parishad, delivered the welcome speech. Three individuals were awarded the 'Bangladesh Itihas Parishad Book Award' for best history books published in Bengali years 1430 and 1431. Around 100 research papers will be presented by university teachers and researchers in 18 sessions over the two-day conference.

Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed on Saturday said the judiciary must be the architect of its own reform -- transparent, accountable and free from executive influence. Speaking at a regional seminar in Rangpur, the Chief Justice emphasised the foundational role of judicial independence in upholding the rule of law. “Judicial reform is no longer a distant aspiration, it is unfolding now. Over the past eight months, we have taken bold and transformative steps to ensure true judicial independence, including the establishment of autonomous judicial bodies, digital innovation and people-centric services,” he said. “I deeply value the strategic partnership with UNDP, whose continued support has been instrumental in advancing this reform agenda across the country,” the Chief Justice added. British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said an independent and efficient judiciary is vital for the rule of law and the foundation upon which the rights and freedoms of individuals rest. “It is more important than ever as Bangladesh charts the pathway to a democratic, inclusive and prosperous future,” she said while speaking at the seminar. Dr Yunus seeks Thaksin’s support to strengthen ties, resolve Rohingya crisis She reiterated the UK’s commitment to justice sector reform and inclusive governance. The British High Commissioner said the Chief Justice’s roadmap is both timely and transformative, offering a strategic vision that responds to citizens’ aspirations for a fair, timely and accessible justice system, according to UNDP. Bangladesh Supreme Court and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organised the sixth regional seminar titled “Judicial Independence and Efficiency” bringing together senior members of the judiciary, legal experts and development partners to promote transparency, efficiency, and accountability within the justice system. Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Stefan Liller delivered the welcome remarks, highlighting UNDP’s long-standing partnership in supporting judicial reform in Bangladesh. “The divisional seminars ensure an inclusive reform process by engaging judges across Bangladesh. UNDP is proud to be part of this journey, building on over a decade of collaboration with the Supreme Court. Our support spans justice service delivery, digitalisation, case backlog reduction, court administration and access to justice for vulnerable communities," said Stefan Liller. Judge of the High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh Justice Zafor Ahmed delivered special remarks, stressing the urgency of institutional autonomy for long-term judicial development. Md Muajjem Hussain, Special Officer, Bangladesh Supreme Court, made a presentation on the proposed framework of the "Independent Supreme Court Secretariat" underscoring its potential to enhance administrative and financial autonomy of the judiciary. The regional seminar series continues to serve as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration to advance judicial excellence in Bangladesh.

High Court Justice Shahed Nuruddin has resigned while allegations against him were under investigation in the Supreme Judicial Council. In a message sent by the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division Public Relations Officer (PRO) Shafiqul Islam on Thursday, it was confirmed that Justice Shahed Nuruddin submitted his resignation letter to the President through the Chief Justice of Bangladesh from Canada while an investigation against him was ongoing under the Supreme Judicial Council. Govt approves ordinance for transparent HC judge appointments He and his wife left the country on November 9 last year and are currently in Canada. Justice Shahed Nuruddin was appointed as an Additional Judge of the High Court on October 21, 2019 during the tenure of the previous Awami League government, following his retirement as a District and Sessions Judge. His appointment was made permanent two years later. He came into the spotlight for delivering the verdict in the widely discussed August 21 grenade attack case while serving as the judge of Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal No. 1. The High Court later acquitted all the accused in the case. Justice Nuruddin also delivered verdicts in several other high-profile cases, including the Sony murder case, Ahsanullah Master murder case, “Pichchi Hannan” murder case, and college teacher Krishna Kaberi murder case, among others. Appellate Division upholds HC's dismissal of 5 labour cases against Dr Yunus A graduate of Dhaka University’s law department, he joined the judiciary as a Munsif in 1983 and was promoted to District Judge in 2000. His resignation comes in the wake of growing scrutiny over judicial appointments made during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure as prime minister. On October 16 last year, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed placed 12 judges, including Nuruddin, on leave following demands for the removal of judges accused of partisanship and corruption. Subsequently, from October 20, he was barred from conducting judicial duties. On the same day, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement held a demonstration at the High Court demanding the resignation of Awami League-backed judges, while the Anti-Discrimination Lawyers’ Society and the National Citizens’ Committee’s Legal Wing also staged protests calling for the removal of politically affiliated judges. Following these events, Supreme Court Registrar General Aziz Ahmad Bhuiyan announced that 12 judges of the High Court Division would not be assigned to any benches. However, at that time, their names were not disclosed. Later, they were absent from the High Court’s cause list. One of the judges has since retired. In November last year, the Supreme Court administration issued a notice stating that the Supreme Judicial Council was reviewing information regarding several judges after the ruling on the 16th Amendment. On December 4, the administration further confirmed that a preliminary investigation into the conduct of several judges was ongoing. BNP welcomes HC verdict scrapping part of 15th Amendment On December 15, the Supreme Judicial Council invoked Article 96 of the Constitution and submitted information on several judges to the President. According to an update on the Supreme Court’s website on January 6, the President has instructed the Supreme Judicial Council to investigate multiple Supreme Court judges under Article 96(5)(B) of the Constitution. The investigation is set to begin next week.

Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has nominated Appellate Division’s Senior Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury as the head of the Election Commission search committee. Moreover, High Court’s Senior Justice AKM Asaduzzaman has been mentioned as a member of the search committee. Wishing not to be named, a senior official of the Supreme Court's administrative division, said a letter recommending the two justices was sent to the Cabinet Division in this regard. Earlier on Tuesday, Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said a search committee has been formed to establish the Election Commission. The recommendation has been submitted to the Chief Adviser for signature, and official notification will be issued as soon as the signature is obtained today or tomorrow, said the adviser. Election Commission seeks opinions on electoral reform   He emphasised the government’s steps toward a fair election, starting with the establishment of the Election Commission. He further noted that once the Election Commission is constituted, the priority will be updating the voter list to eliminate fake entries allegedly added by the previous government. As per the rule, the President constitutes a Search Committee to gather nominations from the public for the post of Chief Election Commissioner and other commissioners. A six-member search committee formed headed by a senior justice of the Appellate Division. The committee will propose 10 names considering the eligibility and disqualification of the law. The President will form the EC taking five out of the 10 recommended members.