Lower court judges on Saturday renewed their call for a separate judicial secretariat under the Supreme Court, citing recurring conflicts with the executive due to the Supreme Court鈥檚 lack of control over appointments, transfers, promotions, and disciplinary actions in the lower judiciary.
They made the observations at a views-exchange meeting titled 鈥業ndependence of the Judiciary: Separate Secretariat and Fulfillment of Mass Uprising Goals鈥�, organised by the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association.
In a press release issued by BJSA president Md Amirul Islam and secretary general Muhammad Mazharul Islam, the judges said that infrastructural constraints and administrative interference continued to obstruct the smooth functioning of the judiciary.
They stressed that the time was ripe for ensuring genuine judicial independence by establishing a separate and effective judicial secretariat under the Supreme Court.
The judges expressed frustration that although the Judicial Reform Commission, formed during the past caretaker government, had recommended the establishment of such a secretariat, it still remained neglected in the government priorities.
They urged the interim government to immediately implement the judicial reform roadmap announced by the chief justice, starting with the formation of a separate judicial secretariat.
The judges also demanded a separate and independent pay scale for judicial officers, criticising the current structure introduced in 2009, which they said had created a prolonged stalemate.
As the judiciary is constitutionally mandated to uphold the rule of law, they argued, the financial benefits and dignity of the judges must reflect the gravity of their responsibilities.
The judges also called for a clear policy on Supreme Court appointments based on seniority, merit, and qualifications, and ensuring proper representation of the subordinate judiciary.
They also mentioned with caution that the judiciary had been politically misused in the past, which posed a serious threat to democracy and judicial integrity.
BJSA president Md Amirul Islam chaired the discussion, which was attended by Rangpur District and Sessions Judge Fazle Khoda Md Najir as chief guest. Senior district judges from eight districts of Rangpur division and court officials were also present at the event, held at the Begum Rokeya Auditorium at RDRS-Rangpur.
