Ordinance to appoint SC judges ‘discriminatory’

AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon, president of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), has labelled the recently issued ordinance to appoint top court judges through an independent council as 'discriminatory,' reports bdnews24.com.

He said on Thursday the 'Supreme Court Judges Appointment Ordinance, 2025', which removes the direct control of the executive branch and stipulates the formation of a permanent council named the 'Supreme Judicial Appointment Council', was disappointing for the BAR Association.

The chief justice is to serve as the chair of the seven-strong independent council.

"This does not include any lawyer representative, though it has spots for judges from lower courts. I demand the amendment of this ordinance," Khokon said.

The ordinance says the council is to comprise the senior-most judges from both the Appellate Division and the High Court Division, one retired judge from the Appellate Division nominated by the chairperson, the attorney general, and one law professor or legal expert selected by the chair.

The Supreme Court's registrar general will serve as the secretary of the council.

The ordinance specifies that the chief justice will convene meetings to determine the number of judges needed at the request of the president.