SC stays verdict on warrant of precedence

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The Supreme Court (SC) Monday stayed a High Court (HC) order for a new warrant of precedence placing district judges above generals, reports bdnews24.com.
Appellate Division chamber judge Justice Md Muzammel Hossain stayed the order for six weeks on a government appeal filed by Attorney General Mahbubey Alam Sunday.
The court also asked the government to file a regular appeal within the six-week period.
The attorney general told reporters after the stay order: "An unusual situation has emerged following the High Court order. That's why we decided to appeal against and seek a stay order on it."
To a question on what type of unusual situation has emerged, he said: "If judicial service officials of district-judge rank are put above the services' chiefs, a lot of space will be required for their accommodation in any state function, for one thing. It will look odd."
He also said the government position would be clarified on receipt of the copy of the rule.
The High Court on February 4 ordered the government to create a new warrant of precedence within 60 days, placing officials with district judge rank above the chiefs of the armed forces, in a huge leap of status for the judiciary.
The existing warrant of precedence places the army, navy and air force chiefs in 12th position, and district judges or equivalent rank, including additional judge, chief judicial magistrate and chief metropolitan magistrate, in the 24th.
The High Court in its order said that the constitutional status of judicial officials should be duly prioritised and reflected in the official protocol.