BNP welcomes HC verdict of scrapping 16th amendment

BNP yesterday welcomed the High Court verdict that scrapped the 16th Amendment to the Constitution, which had restored the Parliament's power to impeach judges.

"This verdict has enhanced the dignity of the judiciary," said BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed at a press conference at the party's headquarters in the capital's Nayapaltan. 

The amendment passed in 2014 empowered parliament to impeach Supreme Court judges for “incapacity or misconduct”. Following Thursday's verdict, the Jatiya Sangsad has lost the power to remove SC judges based on those grounds.

Opposing the idea of giving Parliament the authority, Rizvi, also senior joint secretary general of the party, said it allows the party with most seats in the House to control and politically influence the impeachments.

“The same can happen if the power is vested with the president as the party with most seats elects the president.”

The HC ruling infuriated ministers and MPs, and some of them on Thursday's parliament session launched a blistering attack on the HC.

Rizvi also criticised Law Minister Anisul Haque for his remarks on the verdict.

“This political party (Awami League) is forcibly staying in power and had introduced the 16th Amendment to fulfill their wish. They held a one-sided and voter-less election. So he (law minister) says things like this,” said the BNP leader.

The people accepted the verdict, he added.