Pro-Bangladesh Nationalist Party lawyers on Wednesday demanded the abolition of the newly formed Supreme Judicial Appointment Council (SJAC), calling it ‘controversial’, ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘motivated by the interim government’.
They urged the authorities to appoint Supreme Court judges according to Article 95 of the constitution.
The demand came during a human chain protest in front of the Supreme Court Bar Association building, organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum, a platform of BNP-backed lawyers, along with general lawyers.
In a related move, Parvez Hossain, a lawyer linked to the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, served a legal notice on Tuesday to the law ministry, the council’s secretary and the Supreme Court registrar.
The notice demanded the suspension of Supreme Court judge appointments based on the July 18 viva voce until rules are formally framed under the Supreme Judicial Appointment Ordinance 2025.
He also objected to a candidate, who is wife of a council member, allegedly being interviewed for appointment.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum president Zainul Abedin said that the council, led by the chief justice, composed of seven members, formed under the Supreme Judicial Appointment Ordinance 2025, was set up by an ‘unelected interim regime’, undermining constitutional procedures and curtailing the authority of the chief justice.
‘Judges must be appointed by the president in consultation with the chief justice, as per the constitution — not through a council created by an ordinance,’ he said.
He warned that the lawyer community would launch a movement if the chief justice’s authority is curtailed in the appointment process.
Kayser Kamal, the forum’s secretary general, announced plans to distribute leaflets among lawyers nationwide today.
A memorandum will also be submitted to the chief justice on July 27 to press their demands.
Kayser alleged that the SJAC was formed to appoint loyalists of the ousted Awami League government which was against the spirit of 2024 July-August mass uprising that forced deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina to flee India for shelter.
Senior lawyer Subrata Chowdhury called on the chief justice to immediately stop the ongoing appointment process for additional High Court judges.
He warned that 80,000 lawyers across the country could force a halt if the controversial SJAC remains in place to appoint SC judges.
‘If the elected government does not ratify the 2025 ordinance, people may seek legal action against you for unconstitutional appointments,’ Subrata cautioned chief justice Syed Refaat Ahmed.
The forum’s SC unit convener, Md Bodruddoza Badal, leaders Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal, and Gazi Kamrul Islam Sajal also spoke on the occasion.
The human chain was moderated by Gazi Thowhidul Islam, member secretary of the forum’s Supreme Court unit.
