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TL;DR:
- Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed sends 12 High Court judges appointed during Awami League government on leave amid corruption allegations.
- Six judges, including Justice SM Moniruzzaman and Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman, were informed of the decision during a meeting with the Chief Justice.
- Pro-BNP lawyers and various organizations have been demanding the resignation of at least 30 Supreme Court judges appointed during the previous government.
- The anti-discrimination student movement is simultaneously holding a siege of the High Court, calling for the resignation of politically motivated judges.
In an unprecedented move, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed has sent 12 High Court judges on leave, all of whom were appointed during the tenure of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government. The decision comes amidst allegations of corruption, irregularities, and political bias against these judges.
According to sources within the Supreme Court administration, the judges in question are accused of engaging in corrupt practices and working as allies of the former Awami League government. The chief justice had earlier invited these judges for a meeting over tea on October 16, 2024, where they were informed about the leave decision.
Among the judges sent on leave are Justice SM Moniruzzaman, Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman, Justice Md Akhtaruzzaman, Justice Shahed Md Nooruddin, Justice SM Masud Hossain Dolon, and Justice Amirul Islam. However, the names of the other judges have not been disclosed, and no official announcement has been made by the chief justice’s office.
The decision to send these judges on leave comes in the wake of growing demands from various organizations and ordinary lawyers for the resignation of Awami League-backed judges appointed to the High Court Division of the Supreme Court during the previous government’s tenure. Pro-BNP lawyers have been particularly vocal in their demands, holding various programs calling for the resignation of at least 30 Supreme Court judges since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, the registrar general of the Supreme Court, confirmed that the six judges who attended the meeting with the chief justice were informed about the leave decision. The move is seen as a significant step towards addressing concerns over political influence and corruption within the judiciary.
Coinciding with the chief justice’s decision, the anti-discrimination student movement is holding a siege of the High Court today, demanding the resignation of politically motivated judges. The developments highlight the growing public sentiment against perceived political bias and irregularities in the country’s judicial system.
As the situation unfolds, the legal community and the public await further details and official statements from the chief justice’s office regarding the allegations against the judges and the implications of their being sent on leave. The move is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the judiciary and the ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and impartiality in the administration of justice.
Source: TBS News
