SC upholds decision over HC judge Shahidur\\\'s removal

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the then President’s decision of removing additional judge of the High Court Syed Shahidur Rahman.
A four-member bench of the Appellate Division, head by Chief Justice SK Sinha, passed the order upon public interest litigation hearing, UNB reported.
Then President Md Iajuddin Ahmed, acting upon Supreme Judicial Council’s recommendations, removed the judge in April, 2004 over the allegations of bail fixing.
On February 3, 2005, the High Court (HC) declared illegal the then President's decision for removing the additional judge from his office.
Then, SC lawyer Idrisur Rahman filed an appeal as a public interest litigation with the SC challenging the HC verdict.
Allegations of bail fixing against Shahidur Rahman were raised by Supreme Court Bar Association President Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud at a lawyers' meeting in October 2003, six months within Rahman's appointment as an additional judge to the HC.
Mahmud alleged that the appointment was made on political considerations, ignoring the question of efficiency and integrity of the person.
As the allegations against a sitting judge of the HC were serious in nature and stirred political upheaval, the SJC took up the matter for investigation and submitted its report to the president.
The President, acting upon SJC's recommendations, removed the judge.
Dr Kamal Hossain stood for petitioner Idrisur Rahman while additional attorney general Murad Reza represented the state.
-SS