The Hindu : CJ appointment 'politicised'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 25, 2003

International

International

CJ appointment 'politicised'

By Haroon Habib

DHAKA JUNE 24. Justice K. M. Hasan has been sworn-in as the Chief Justice of Bangladesh by the President, Iajuddin Ahmed, amid an unprecedented boycott by the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Mr. Justice Hasan replaced Mr. Justice Mainur Reza Chowdhury on his retirement on Monday.

Contending that Mr. Justice Hasan superseded two seniors, the Bar Association president, Rukunuddin Mahmud, said that such appointments were highly politicised.

The Association had officially `disapproved' of it and termed it as a "violation of (the) long-standing tradition and convention".

It, however, felicitated the new Chief Justice "in line with the long-standing tradition of the bar". The appointment was made at a time when the Bar and the Government are already in a face-off over the non-confirmation of six additional judges appointed by the previous Awami League Government and on the vital question of the independence of the judiciary.

The Association in a resolution said, "The appointment of the Chief Justice was unprecedented in the annals of Bangladesh's judiciary."

But the Law Minister, Moudud Ahmed, defended the action saying Mr. Justice Hasan had been a "victim of injustice".

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