Compulsory Retirement of 18 'Controversial' Judges in Bangladesh

The government sent 18 'controversial' lower court judges into forced retirement on Thursday. A circular was issued in this regard by Branch-3 of the Judicial Division under the Law and Justice Division. Of the judges, 15 are district and sessions court judges, two are additional district and sessions judges, and one is a joint district and sessions judge.

"As per the terms of service in the Bangladesh Judicial Service, as the members have completed 25 years, it has been decided, in consultation with the Bangladesh Supreme Court, to retire them from service in the public interest under the provisions of Section 45 of the Public Service Act, 2018," read the circular.

According to law ministry sources, it is the first time since August 5 last year that any lower court judge has been sent into forced retirement. Most of the forced retired judges were serving as special judges in various districts and different tribunals.

Of them, Bikash Kumar Saha, district and sessions judge, Abu Zafar Md Kamruzzaman, district and sessions judge, Md Nurul Islam, additional district and sessions judge, and Mohammad Hossain, joint district and sessions judge, are currently attached to the Law and Justice Division in Dhaka.

The other judges are Sheikh Mofizur Rahman (district and sessions judge), Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, Rajbari; Md Mahbubar Rahman Sarkar (district and sessions judge), Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1, Kishoreganj; Sheikh Golam Mahbub (district and sessions judge), Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, Kushtia; Md Mojibur Rahman (district and sessions judge), Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1, Gaibandha; Md Ehsanul Haque (district and sessions judge), Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, Bhola; Md Jewel Rana, (district and sessions judge), Jononirapotta Bighnokari Oporadh Domon Tribunal (Public Safety Disrupting Crimes Prevention Tribunal), Khulna; Md Monir Kamal (district and sessions judge), Cyber Tribunal, Sylhet; Shahidul Islam, special judge (district and sessions judge), Patuakhali; Al Mahmud Faizul Kabir, special judge (district and sessions judge), Dinajpur; Md Nazimuddoula, district and sessions judge, Tangail; AKM Mozammel Haque Chowdhury (district and sessions judge), Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, Thakurgaon; Fazle Elahi Bhuiyan (district and sessions judge), Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-3, Habiganj; Md Rustum Ali, member (district and sessions judge), Administrative Tribunal, Barishal; and AKM Enamul Karim, additional district and sessions judge, Patuakhali.

The retired judges are accused of working for Sheikh Hasina's government and of irregularities and corruption. The Supreme Court Bar Association held a press conference on Wednesday demanding the removal of these judges.