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.

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.