SC grants leave for hearing appeal against verdict abolishing CG system

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday granted leave for holding a hearing on appeal against its judgment, abolishing the poll-time non-party caretaker government (CG) system.

The Appellate Division full-bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order, fixing October 21 for holding hearing on the matter.

The apex court passed the order after holding a hearing on review petitions pleading for restoration of the 13th amendment to the constitution and reinstatement of the poll-time non-party caretaker government system.

Senior advocates Zainul Abedin, Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir took part in the hearing for the pleas. Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman stood for the state.

A total of four pleas were filed in this regard. One was filed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, one by Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Miah Golam Parwar, another by five noted citizens, including Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of the rights organisation Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik and one by another individual. All the pleas are being heard concurrently. 

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on May 10, 2011, had declared illegal the 13th amendment to the Constitution introducing the caretaker government system.

The High Court on December 17, 2024, declared the scrapping of the caretaker government system in the constitution as illegal. 

Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, after pronouncing the judgment, told journalists that the High Court has declared the scrapping of the caretaker government provision in the constitution as illegal, and from now on, the caretaker system is part of the constitution.