Judges disciplinary rules unconstitutional, says Moudud

Terming the disciplinary rules for lower court judges 'unconstitutional', BNP standing committee member Barrister Moudud Ahmed on Tuesday said the lower court judges went under the absolute control of the government due to the rules.

"The disciplinary rules, the government has prepared, for the lower court judges is quite suicidal, meaningless and unconstitutional. With this, the lower court judges went under the full control of the government," he said.

The former law minister came up with the remarks while addressing a discussion in the city. Aparajeya Bangladesh, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on the occasion of the birth anniversary of BNP founder late President Ziaur Rahman.

The government on Monday issued the gazette on the disciplinary rules for lower court judges in line with the Article 116 of the Constitution.

Moudud said the judiciary lost its independence with the rules. "It can't be said anymore that the judiciary is separated from the executive organs of the state," he said.

The rules go against the Article 22 of the Constitution that states that the State shall ensure the separation of the judiciary from the executive organs of the State, he said.

The BNP leaders said not only judges and lawyers but also the country's people from all classes oppose the rules. "We want to say the people of Bangladesh have not accepted this rules and there'll be movement against this rules," said Moudud.

The Supreme Court lawyer said former chief justice SK Sinha will be remembered for ever as he tried to uphold the independence of judiciary opposing such rules, which was the main reason for creating the dispute between him and the government.

UNB/GY