The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association has called on the interim government to take immediate action to establish a dedicated secretariat under the Supreme Court, a move deemed crucial for ensuring judicial independence.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the JSA president Md Amirul Islam and secretary general Muhammad Mazharul Islam reiterated the demand, following a discussion on Tuesday marking the interim government鈥檚 100 days in office and assessing progress on the newly-formed judiciary reform commission.
The association also emphasised the implementation of directives from the landmark Masder Hossain case, which in 1999 mandated the separation of the judiciary from executive control.
The eighth directive from the Appellate Division underscored the need for institutional independence of the judiciary by insulating it from legislative and executive influence.
The statement came a day after law adviser Asif Nazrul, during a press briefing at the secretariat, acknowledged challenges in establishing a separate judicial secretariat.
He claimed that such a provision was not explicitly outlined in the 12 directives issued in the Masder Hossain verdict.
鈥楳asder himself informed me that the verdict did not mandate the creation of a separate judicial secretariat,鈥� Asif Nazrul said.
The association pointed out that Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed had submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs on October 27, advocating for the establishment of a Supreme Court-controlled judicial secretariat. The proposal is currently under review by the government, the JSA noted.
The association urged the government to expedite the process, highlighting the secretariat鈥檚 necessity for upholding the judiciary鈥檚 autonomy and the constitutional balance of power.