Justice Obaidul Hasan took oath today as the 24th Chief Justice of Bangladesh. The president administered the oath at 11 am at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, witnessed by the president's wife Dr. Rebecca Sultana, Cabinet members, former chief justices, judges of both the Appellate and High Court divisions, heads of the three services, principal secretary to the prime minister, the attorney general, and Supreme Court lawyers, including SC Bar Association leaders. Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain conducted the ceremony. The president made the appointment as per Article 95 (1) of the Constitution on Thursday as the outgoing chief justice retired on the day. Chief Justice rails against US visa policy on last working day Hassan, a senior judge of the Appellate Division, was appointed the chief justice on September 12.  Obaidul Hassan was appointed as an additional judge of the Supreme Court’s High Court Division in 2009 while his appointment was confirmed as a permanent judge in 2011. He was elevated as a judge in the Appellate Division on September 3, 2020. Hassan was born on January 1, 1959, at Chayashi village under Mohanganj upazila in Netrokona district to Dr Akhlaqul Hossain Ahmed and Begum Hosne Ara Hossain. Hassan was appointed as the chairman of International Crimes Tribunal-2 on March 25, 2012 and in his capacity as the head of that court, also known as War Crimes Tribunal, until September 15, 2015, he pronounced 11 verdicts. Denial of Bangladesh genocide weakens claims for justice and redress Obaidul Hassan is married to Nafisa Banu, who currently serves as Member (Finance) of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority’s Board of Directors. The couple has a son, Barrister Ahmed Shafquat Hassan. Obaidul Hassan's younger brother Sajjadul Hassan is a parliament member (MP) from Netrokona-4 constituency while he previously served as a senior secretary at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Obaidul Hassan initially obtained his graduate and postgraduate degrees in economics from Dhaka University prior to studying law and made his debut as a practitioner in the Dhaka District Court in 1986, and got his enrollment in the High Court in 1988. He became an Appellate Division lawyer in 2005 and was appointed as an assistant attorney general and deputy attorney general for 5 years from 1996 to 2001. Justice Obaidul Hassan to take oath as country’s 24th Chief Justice on Sept 26 As a Supreme Court judge Obaidul Hassan joined several international legal conferences in different countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Netherlands and Argentina. He led the Bangladesh delegation to an international crimes conference in Buenos Aires in 2015 and in the same year he attended a views exchange meeting with the International Crimes Court and the International Crimes Tribunal judges in The Hague. Obaidul Hassan authored several books including 'Obornonio Nirmomotar Chittro Ekatturer Buddhijibi Hotyakando O Onnanya', 'Bangabandhu Bangladesh Ekjon Juddho Shishur Golpo O Onnanya' and 'Bangabandhu, Rabindranath O Oshamprodayeek Bangladesh'.

Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique has urged to keep the judiciary free of political influence. He made the call at a farewell reception held on the last working day of his tenure as the 23rd Chief Justice of Bangladesh on Thursday (August 31, 2023). The chief justice said the judiciary is the protector of the fundamental rights of the people. It is also the protector of the constitution, he said. Therefore, judges have to be brave and just. If the judiciary fails or deviates from the impartial application of the law, the state and citizens are bound to suffer, said the chief justice. Also read: The chief justice meets President Hamid and brief him about SC activities: Bangabhaban Independence of the judiciary is essential for the development of true participatory democracy, preservation of the rule of law, ensuring the rights of weaker sections of society, and establishing social justice, he added. Urging to make sure that the judiciary be free of political influence, the Chief Justice said, “It is the responsibility of judges, lawyers and every responsible citizen of the state to protect the judiciary from social, economic and political influences. Also read: Chief Justice opens up on limitations, ambitions of judiciary “If we, you, all of us fail to fulfill that duty, every citizen will face a difficult time. “It is not good for the judiciary if the political divide crosses the road and comes towards the court. We have to remember that division and disagreement among lawyers and their reactions affect the judiciary. “The great spirit with which our constitution was framed, we all have a great national responsibility towards that. We must ensure that all the laws and all legal activities of the country reflect the constitutional spirit. People want peace, but we still have a long way to go for complete peace,” the chief justice said. The chief justice is retiring on September 25. However, today was his last working day. As per tradition, he was given a farewell reception at 10:30 am. The farewell reception was held in the Appellate Division's courtroom-1 of the Supreme Court. Also read: Hasan Foez new Chief Justice of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association President Momtaz Uddin Fakir and Secretary Abdun Noor Dulal and Attorney General AM Amin Uddin on behalf of the Attorney General's Office, gave the reception. All the judges and lawyers of the Appellate Division and the High Court Division of the Supreme Court were present on the occasion.

Chief Justice Hasan Faiz Siddiqui on Tuesday presented the Annual Report of Judicial Service Commission-2021 to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Tuesday evening.   President's press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting.   During the meeting, the Chief Justice and the Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission briefed the President about the overall activities of the Commission and various aspects of the annual report.   The President emphasized on timely training in various subjects including information technology to increase the professional skills of the judges.  Read: The chief justice meets President Hamid and brief him about SC activities: Bangabhaban Hamid also urged the judges to perform their duties with more honesty, devotion and sincerity so that the people get justice quickly.     The member of the commission Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder, Attorney General Abu Mohammad Amin Uddin, Law and Justice Department Secretary  Golam Sarwar and District and Sessions Judge Habibur Rahman Bhuiyan were present.   President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Zainal Abedin were also present at the time.

The ‘Bangladesh Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension and Privileges) Bill, 2022’ was placed in Parliament on Tuesday with a provision of a monthly special allowance of Tk 70,000 for a retired chief justice. Law minister Anisul Huq placed the Bill and it was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry for scrutiny. The committee was asked to return the report within 30 days. Also read:Bill to establish new hydrocarbons agency placed in JS The special allowance of will be given to meet expenses such as paying for domestic help, car diver, house guard and maintenance of office-cum-residence. The draft law was brought to formulate a law repealing an ordinance of the military regime as per a judgment of the High Court. The proposed law will replace the Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension and Privileges) Ordinance, 1982. It says the leave granted to a judge may, at his option, be either- leave on full salary; or leave on half salary; or leave partly on full salary and partly on half salary. For the purpose of this part, any period of leave on full salary shall be reckoned as double the period of leave on half salary. The aggregate amount of leave granted to a judge during the whole period of service as such shall not exceed, in terms of leave on half salary, thirty-six months.  The aggregate amount of leave on full salary granted to a Judge during his/her whole period of service as such shall not exceed one-twenty fourth of the period spent by him on actual service. The period of leave granted at any one time shall not exceed, in the case of leave on full salary. The monthly rate of leave salary payable to a judge while on leave on full salary shall be equal to the monthly rate of his salary. The monthly rate of leave salary payable to a Judge while on leave on half salary shall be equal to half the monthly rate of his salary. A judge shall be entitled to draw his leave salary in Bangladeshi currency only. Also read: JS selects 5-member panel of chairpersons A judge shall, on his retirement, resignation or removal, be paid a pension in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance if he or she has- completed not less than five years of service for pension and attained the retiring age; or completed not less than ten years of service for pension and, before attaining the retiring age, resigned; or completed not less than five years of service for pension and, before attaining the retiring age, either resigned, his resignation having been medically certified to be necessitated by ill health, or been removed for physical or mental incapacity. The chief justice will get Tk 4.50 lakh as injury gratuity and Tk 1.50 lakh for annual pension while amount for both is Tk 4.50 and Tk 1.40 lakh respectively for justice or additional justice. The chief justice will get Tk 5 lakh as family gratuity and Tk 1.40 lakh for annual pension while amount for both is Tk 4 and Tk 1.20 lakh respectively for justice or additional justice. The children of justices will get Tk 20,000 if the mother is not alive while Tk 12,000 if the mother is alive. 

Newly appointed justice of the appellate division of the Supreme Court FRM Nazmul Ahasan died of Covid on Friday before he could take his oath. The former High Court Division judge breathed his last at 6.15am at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical College University (BSMMU), said Muhammad Saifur Rahman, spokesperson for the Supreme Court. Justice Nazmul had recently tested positive for Covid and got admitted to BSMMU, he said. His first namaz-e-janaza was held on the Supreme Court premises at 11am, said Saifur. Also read: Mother of BCB Director AJM Nasiruddin passes away On January 8, President Abdul Hamid appointed Justice Nazmul to the appellate division. On January 9, other justices, appointed along with FRM Nazmul Ahasan, were administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique. At the reception ceremony, Chief Justice had, however, said that Justice Nazmul would take his oath after recovery. Also read: TH Khan passes away The Chief Justice expressed "deep shock and sorrow" at the demise of Justice Nazmul and conveyed his condolences to the judge's family.

The newly appointed chief justice of Bangladesh Justice Hasan Fayez Siddiqui on Thursday paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the chief justice briefed the president on various activities of the Supreme Court, especially the operation of virtual courts during Covid-19 pandemic. Justice Hasan also apprised the president of the steps taken to reduce the load of pending litigation. Congratulating him, the President said that the judiciary has been the last resort for the people to get justice.  The judiciary must continue its efforts to ensure that people get justice without any harassment, he said. Read: Canadian envoy presents credentials to President Hamid President Hamid hoped that under the leadership of the new chief justice, the judiciary would be able to meet the expectations of the people through speedy execution of justice. Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary to the President Md. Joynal Abedin and Secretary (attached) Wahidul Islam Khan were present on the occasion.

Newly-appointed Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique on Saturday said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is much stronger in death than in life. “I think, Bangabandhu was assassinated on August 15, 1975 but he will live among people and we feel Bangabandhu all over the country. So dead Bangabandhu is stronger than living Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu remained alive in our soul. The judges are working to implement his ideals keeping him in the highest place of respect,” he said. The New Chief Justice came up with the remark while paying tribute at the altar of the National Memorial at Savar on Saturday. Justice Obaidul Hassan and Justice Md Nuruzzaman were present there with him. Earlier in the day, Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique also paid homage at the portrait of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32. He also signed the visitor’s book. On December 30, Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, a judge of the Appellate Division, was appointed the new Chief Justice (CJ) of Bangladesh. Read: Hasan Foez new Chief Justice of Bangladesh Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a gazette notification in this regard on Thursday. Incumbent Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain went on retirement on Thursday as he turned 68. According to Article 96 (1) of the constitution, a judge cannot hold office beyond the age of 67. The outgoing Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain paid a farewell call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Wednesday evening.

Hasan Foez Siddique, a senior judge of the Appellate Division, was on Friday sworn in as the 23rd chief justice of Bangladesh at Bangabhaban. President Abdul Hamid administered the oath of office in a traditional ceremony at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 4 pm. Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam conducted the event, said Md Joynal Abedin,press secretary of the president. Read: Hasan Foez new Chief Justice of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President's wife Begum Rashida Khanam, cabinet members, former chief justices, judges of both appellate and high court divisions, heads of the three services, principal secretary to the prime minister, the attorney general, Supreme Court lawyers, including SC Bar Association leaders, among others, attended the ceremony.

Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, a judge of the Appellate Division, has been appointed the new Chief Justice (CJ) of Bangladesh. Law and Justice Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a gazette notification in this regard on Thursday. READ: IGP meets Chief Justice The Chief Justice will take oath at Bangabhaban at 4 pm on Friday, said President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin. Incumbent Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain went on retirement on Thursday as he turned 68. According to Article 96 (1) of the constitution, a judge shall hold office until the age of 67. Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain paid a farewell call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Wednesday evening. READ: Ex-Bangladesh chief justice Sinha seeks political asylum in Canada: Report Mahmud Hossain was appointed the 22nd Chief Justice of the country on February 2, 2018. The post of the chief justice fell vacant when Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha resigned on November 10 in 2017. Justice Md Abdul Wahhab Miah, the senior most judge of the appellate division, had been carrying out the activities of Chief Justice since October 3 in 2017.

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Wednesday said the President is the sole authority to appoint the Chief Justice. “In Bangladesh, the President has the authority to appoint the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice without asking anyone else. The President will appoint the Chief Justice whom he will deem fit for it. I think those who’re now in the Appellate Division are all fit for the post.” The law minister came up with the remarks while responding to a question from reporters about the appointment of the Chief Justice at a programme of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) in the capital. Read: Law minister urges NHRC to stand against violation of human rights Replying to a question about the formation of the Election Commission (EC), the minister said, “The tenure of the EC will expire in February next year. The process for the formation of the EC has started and it’s under the jurisdiction of the President.” Responding to another question about allowing BNP chief  Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment, the minister said the  case in which Khaleda Zia got jail term was filed by the caretaker government, not the Awami League government. “Already, Khaleda has been released under section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) on some conditions, now there’s no scope to reconsider her release. She has to go back to jail first and file a plea to the government,” he said. “Khaleda was released under section 401 of the CrPC and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved her plea on humanitarian grounds. The plea was disposed of and there is no scope to reconsider the disposed plea and you (journalists) know the government can’t do anything against the law,” he said.