Judge impeachment bill placed in JS
Judge impeachment bill placed in JS
The constitutional amendment bill to restore the parliament's authority to impeach Supreme Court judges for misconduct or incapacity was placed in parliament this evening.
Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the bill in the parliament amid full support of main opposition Jatiya Party lawmakers.
The bill was sent to the parliament standing committee on law ministry giving it seven days for submitting a report in parliament after scrutiny.
All parliament members of ruling alliance also supported the bill by thumping up their desks.
On August 18, the cabinet approved the amendment proposal in face of widespread criticism by eminent jurists, civil society personalities and different political parties.
They have been urging the government not to scrap the existing constitutional provision that gives the impeachment power to the chief justice-led Supreme Judicial Council.
The 1972 constitution empowered parliament to impeach SC judges.
But the Awami League-led government in early 1975 conferred the power on the president through the fourth constitutional amendment.
Military ruler Gen Ziaur Rahman, who amended the constitution through martial law proclamation in 1978, scrapped the president's power and introduced the supreme judicial council system.
The AL-led government kept the system almost as it was, while passing the 15th amendment to the constitution in 2011.