SC approves to file appeal against verdict canceling caretaker govt

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Wednesday approved to file an appeal against the verdict that abolished the caretaker government system.

The court has fixed 21 October for next hearing in this regard.

A seven-member bench led by Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed passed the order.

“The Appellate Division wants an effective solution regarding the caretaker government system so that it is not repeatedly disrupted,” the chief justice said during a review hearing for the second day on the verdict that had scrapped the caretaker government system

“If the caretaker system is reinstated, from when will it come into effect?” he also raised a question.

The caretaker government system was introduced through the 13th amendment in 1996. The amendment’s validity was challenged, and in 2011, the Appellate Division declared it unconstitutional, while allowing the 10th and 11th parliamentary elections to be held under a caretaker government. The court had also allowed parliamentary consensus in appointing the chief advisor.

Recent review petitions were filed by Sujan secretary Badilul Alam Majumdar and others 25 August, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on 16 October last year, and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on 23 October.

Eight amicus curiae had earlier given opinions on the system, with five supporting the caretaker government and three proposing reforms or opposing it.